INNISFAIL-PENHOLD-SPRUCE VIEW - For two days the pride and love of the nation overflowed.
Innisfail's Canada Day celebration for the nation's 152nd birthday began a day earlier - June 30 - at Centennial Park for the third year in a row and it was once again a spectacular success with crowds arriving early in the afternoon and peaking at about 1,000 or more.
The third annual event at Centennial Park featured skydivers from Alberta Skydive Central, non-stop entertainment, beer gardens, children's activities, cultural performances and plenty of good cheer. The celebration was capped off at dusk with a spectacular 15-minute fireworks display.
"The town puts it on but it's the community that makes it happen," said Tara Downs, the town's public library manager, who with her family and dozens of other locals, volunteered at the Centennial Park celebration.
Kane Williams, the town's recreation program coordinator, gave credit to the "amazing weather" that helped make the event memorable from start to finish.
"You got to see Innisfail on full display," said Williams, noting the selfless help from the community's service groups, which included the Rotary Club of Innisfail, Innisfail Kinsmen and the Innisfail Lions Club.
All of which impressed everyone who came from outside of town. "It is such a beautiful day and very family orientated," said Lynne Cutting, a visitor from Sydney, Australia, who arrived in the region on May 26. "I love Canada. I don't want to leave."
The following day on July 1 there was more birthday celebrations at the Innisfail and District Historical Village. In the morning there was Rotary’s annual Canada Day pancake breakfast, and from noon until 5 p.m. the historical village hosted its traditional salute to the nation's birthday that included lawn games, bouncy castle fun for the kids, live entertainment and children's crafts. Food was provided by the Innisfail Phil-Can Society. Country music and rodeo legend Ivan Daines was on hand to provide music.
Not to be outdone, Penhold and Spruce View had their own celebrations with overflowing crowds. Spruce View began its festivities with a pancake breakfast at the local community hall. That was followed with the big parade at 11 a.m. The hamlet later had its Family Barn Dance in the evening, and then ending with a fireworks show at dusk near the community hall.
In Penhold, hundreds of locals, as well as many from out of town, arrived at the town’s Lincoln Street Rec Centre in the late morning and early afternoon for its July 1 Canada Day party. There was plenty of games and activities for kids, including face painting, bouncy castles and bubble blowing, as well as a barbecue served up by the Penhold Fire Department. Town staff also served up free Canada Day cupcakes.
“We are delighted with the turnout,” said Carrie Black, the town’s communications and events coordinator. “This is an annual event in the community and we are happy to have a wonderful event to share Canada Day with the community.”
