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Central Alberta communities ready to celebrate Canada Day!

Jun 27, 2017 | 2:53 PM

Central Albertans looking forward to this weekend’s events for Canada’s 150th birthday have much to choose from…

Red Deer

Red Deer’s celebrations will take part at the ever-popular Bower Ponds with events starting at 11 a.m. Food options for attendees include gourmet grilled cheese and hot dogs as well as gourmet ice pops.  

Admission is free and attendees are reminded that pets are not allowed at the Bower Ponds Canada Day celebrations.

Entertainment throughout the day ranging from Tai Chi to multi-cultural dance groups will conclude with the fireworks finale at 11:00 p.m.

There will be no parking at Bower Ponds, Great Chief Park or surrounding area. Parking will be free at Sorensen Station and Red Deer Transit will again offer a park and ride service from there to Bower Ponds. The parkade is open from 10 a.m. until shortly after midnight. Buses will leave Sorensen Station starting at 10:45 a.m. and running every 15 minutes thereafter.

Bus passes, MyRide cards and transfers will be valid for the transit service. Otherwise cash rates are $1 for adults, $0.50 for seniors and students, and free for kids aged 5 and under. A bike corral will also be at Bower Ponds for those wishing to cycle to the event.  For more information on these events visit www.bowerponds.ca.

Other events around Red Deer on July 1 include the Market at Red Deer from 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at the Red Deer Memorial Centre. There will also be a Canada Day show and shine raising funds for homeless at risk veterans and first responders. Riders and Cruisers Alberta is hosting this event at 4900 49 Ave Red Deer.

Sylvan Lake

To the west in Sylvan Lake events begin at 10 a.m. and include a children’s play area with bouncy castles, face painting, flags and food trucks. The Sylvan Lake Sailing Club is hosting a charity race of 7 sailing boats raising money for the Red Deer Regional Health Foundation.

From 11a.m.-7p.m. drop in for a free massage hosted by the MaKami College Inc. or take part in a Drop in Music Class from 11:30a.m.-1:30p.m. for just $5.

There will be band and choir performances, kids karaoke, a march of Canadians as well as a flag raising ceremony and colour party. Other events include a rubber duck race, DJ’d street dance, birthday cake, hypnosis and fire shows.

Events conclude at 11 p.m. with musical fireworks over the lake. For more information visit www.sylvanlake.ca.

Lacombe

Lacombe’s events kick off with a pancake breakfast at the ME Global Athletic Park at 8 a.m. featuring live entertainment. The community market kicks off at the same time just south of the park.

Starting at 10 a.m. attendees can look forward to a kids zone at ME Global Athletic Park as well as an art exhibit at the Lacombe Memorial Centre. Horse drawn wagon rides will be leaving from the TD Bank starting at 10 a.m. as well.

The Michener House Museum will be open 10a.m.-4p.m. and the Blacksmith Shop Museum will have live blacksmithing demonstrations. The Lacombe Community Memory Project will be open at the Flatiron Museum as well.

Other events include the Honour Guard march to the Legion, the flag raising, a BBQ with cake, children’s crafts, beer gardens, live music and a teen dance.

Concluding the evening will be the Gord Bamford concert at ME Global Park at 9:30 p.m. followed by the grand finale fireworks at 11:30 p.m. at ME Global Athletic and Cranna Lake.  For more information on these events visit www.lacombetourism.com.

Blackfalds

The Town of Blackfalds will also be host to a number of events including the Wadey Centre Grand Opening with guided tours and free ice cream, an Optimist Club fundraiser BBQ, the Bark Park grand opening and a community market with bouncy castles.

Admission to the Abbey Centre will be $1.50 for the day and BOLT transit service will be free for the day to assist with limited parking.

A DJ’d pool party at the Abbey centre will feature prizes and giveaways and there will also be a free family party at Tayles Water Spray Park.

Events conclude with a free concert with Cole Malone & The Frank in the amphitheatre at the Abbey Centre from 7 p.m.-9:30p.m. with the fireworks set to start at 11 p.m. at All Star Park. For more information on these events visit www.blackfalds.com.

Innisfail

For those looking to celebrate on the Friday night, Innisfail’s events kick off at 5p.m. at Centennial Park. Events include games and activities like a dunk tank with a chance to soak the mayor, and bouncy houses, and crafts like painting Maple leaves.

At Centennial Park there will be a balloon artist and an RCMP Service Dog display. Live entertainment for the evening will include Cole Malone, Devin Cooper, Ivan Daines, cultural dance performances and more. There will also be two BBQ fundraisers and a food truck on hand at the events.

Attendees are reminded to leave their pets at home and that the events are cash only.

The fireworks display will kick off at dusk (10:30 or 11 p.m.) from the arena but will be visible from Centennial Park. For more information on these events visit www.innisfail.ca.

 

For more information on these or other events in Central Alberta visit our Events Calendar!