Each year, Canada Day in the City of Leduc starts off with homeowners finding a little Canadian flag at the edge of their property in the early morning. Since 1996 an army of Coldwell Banker Haida realtors, family, friends and Leduc Composite High School sports team members set out at 5 a.m. to distribute 13,000 Canada Day flags to each residence in the City of Leduc. While they were at it, for the third year, Coldwell Banker Haida Realty also conducted a food drive for the Leduc & District Food Bank. Started three years ago, it benefits individuals and families who are struggling.
The Royal Canadian Legion Branch #108 officials and members served a delicious breakfast in the north side parking lot: this year they served more than 1,200 residents. The food as always was worth the lineups.
The Canada Day parade is organized each year by The Alberta Legacy Development Society, known as the Leduc Elevator Society, under the tireless guidance of Art Birkholtz: with only 20 entries, it was still exciting and colourful. The kids’ games, the wagon rides and New Sarepta’s Chicken John’s Petting Farm at the grain elevator were popular with hundreds of families.
Later in the day, the Legion hosted a flag raising ceremony and a BBQ, with Legion and city officials and residents in attendance. Afterwards, a large crowd of Legion members and guests shared a few pints in the Legion lounge, served by its congenial staff.
Leduc’s Gateway Family Church and St. Peter’s Lutheran Church hosted family carnivals, adding to the day’s events. The day concluded with an alternative rock concert, a gathering of food trucks serving delicious fare and an impressive fireworks show near the Leduc Recreation Centre. Carley Graham with the City of Leduc administration and her committee were happy it attracted thousands of revellers.
Thanks and Kudos must be offered to all these groups who diligently planned and delivered an exciting and fun Canada Day in the City of Leduc.