(Town of Blackfalds)

By Alessia Proietti

Saturday, November 11

Orchestra, banners, pancakes and parades: Remembrance Day ceremonies across central Alberta

Nov 7, 2023 | 10:32 AM

Communities in central Alberta will be gathering for some special and unique ceremonies this Saturday, November 11 to spend Remembrance Day together.

In Red Deer, the Legion will be hosting their annual service at the Servus Arena (4D 4725 43 St.) at 10:30 a.m. The Branch will then be open at noon for members and guests with entertainment in the afternoon. While their kitchen will be closed, food items will be available for sale including sandwiches for $5 and beef on a bun with a salad for $10.

Also at 10:30 a.m., the Korean War Veterans of Red Deer will be holding a service at the Cenotaph (4909 50 St.).

The Red Deer Museum + Art Gallery (4525 47a Ave.) will be hosting a Remembrance Day program, with this weekend’s MAGSaturdays class devoted to the holiday. Free to attend, participants of the “Poppies in a Field” class can paint a field filled with drawn poppies at 1 p.m.

As well, the Red Deer Symphony Orchestra (RDSO) will be hosting a free Remembrance Day Tribute at 2 p.m. at the museum, performing Quartet for the End of Time written by French composer, Olivier Messiaen, who was a Prisoner of War soldier during WWII. Guests are asked to pre-register as there is limited seating and donations are being accepted for the RDSO.

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At the same time, informal tours will be given for the exhibition “Lost Liberties: The War Measures Act” and light refreshments will be available.

In Sylvan Lake, the Legion will host a service at 10:30 a.m. at the Multi-Campus (2 Falcon Ridge Dr.), at Fox Run/Mother Teresa School. Following the service, the public is invited to a lunch at the Legion Branch (4916 50 Ave.), served by the Ladies Auxiliary. A service will then take place at the Cenotaph (50 Ave.) at 2 p.m., across the Sylvan Lake Library.

In Blackfalds, the Blackfalds Ministerial Association will be hosting the Annual Remembrance Day Service at the Abbey Centre Field House (4500 Womacks Rd.). Pre-seating takes place at 10:25 am and the service runs from 10:45 am – 12:00 pm. While most of the service will be indoors, a brief ceremony will take place outdoors at the Cenotaph.

In Innisfail, residents can view banners on streetlamps honoring veterans along Main Street (50 St.). The Legion will be hosting a service at 10:40 a.m. at the Cenotaph (4904 50 St.), kicked off by a parade at 10:30 a.m. led by the colour party. A livestream will be available on Facebook and the Branch (5108 49 Ave.) will be open afterwards for the public with live entertainment by Randy Hillman.

In Lacombe, the Legion (5138 48 St.) will be hosting a free pancake breakfast, accepting donations, from 8 – 10:30 a.m., immediately followed by a service at the Lacombe Memorial Centre (5214 50 Ave.). The Legion Lounge will be open to the public after the service with a luncheon for patrons. At 5:30 p.m., a potluck supper will be held for guests who bring an item to eat.

In Ponoka, the Legion will host its annual Remembrance Day parade at 10:30 a.m., beginning at the ATCO Gas building (#1-4213 Highway 2A) and ending at the Legion (3911 Highway 2A), with a service to follow.

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