Alberta Culture Days was kicked off in style Aug. 28 at the Wetaskiwin Heritage Museum.
The annual three-day celebration of everything that makes Alberta special was made even moreso as the Wetaskiwin Heritage Museum was one of only five sites in Alberta to be named a “feature site” this year.
Executive director and chief curator at the Wetaskiwin & District Heritage Museum Dr. Karen Aberle welcomed everyone present, including Wetaskiwin Camrose MLA Bruce Hinkley and City of Wetaskiwin mayor Tyler Gandam and many more dignitaries and guests. Guests enjoyed indigenous drumming and performances of warrior and jingle dances by the Bear Street drum group and guest dancers.
Aberle noted Culture Days in Wetaskiwin and area, Sept. 28 to 30, is chock full of fun, excitement and learning. “We all know how amazing Wetaskiwin is,” said Aberle at the museum.
She noted Friday, Sept. 28 Taste of Wetaskiwin will return to town to tickle the taste buds with its culinary adventure. The event from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. features many different types of food all hosted at the Memorial Arts Centre. There will also be performance art and live entertainment.
The next day will be big, noted Aberle. Saturday, Sept. 29 will feature the Wetaskiwin Art Club Show and Sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Heritage Museum. Then there will be Behind the Scenes Heritage Museum Tours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Aberle noted the museum doesn’t host these very often. Also on Sept. 29 will be the Passport to Culture from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Wetaskiwin Arts and Culture Centre. Lastly, local recording artists Punk Drunk Cabaret are releasing their latest video, “Don’t Die Before you’re Dead” at 7:30 p.m. in the Manluk Theatre.
On Sunday, Sept. 30 the Indigenous Art and Crafts showcase market will run from noon to 4 p.m. in the Heritage Museum while the Every Child Matters: Orange Shirt Day Walk will begin at 4:30 p.m., traveling from the heritage Museum to the Peace Cairn near the water tower.
The weekend will close with Celebrating our First Communities Festival from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Jubilee Park.
The Reynolds Alberta Museum is also participating in Alberta Culture Days, as it’s open all three days 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with free admission.