INNISFAIL – The fireworks went off spectacularly an hour before July 1 arrived as hundreds of patriotic but anxious Canada Day supporters west of the Innisfail Twin Arena nervously wondered if the lightning flashes across the ski north and south of town might ruin the show.
It did not. But the show did not produce the usual spectacular ending as it traditionally does.
But no one was complaining.
Canada Day officially arrived minutes later with most citizens heading home to get a good night’s sleep to rise early for an entire day of local celebrations.
The Innisfail and District Historical Village kicked things off for the July 1 party at 9 a.m. and continued until 2 p.m.
Blair Cameron, a longtime 62-year-old Innisfailian, was there early as Canada Day at the historical village had a special meaning for him, especially the pancake breakfast that is hosted by the Rotary Club of Innisfail.
“I enjoy it and I look forward to it every year. Even though my mom passed I still do this as a way to remember her because she sure loved these things,” said Cameron. “I love the Canada Day celebrations. It kind of helps me stay a child in some ways.”
When the pancake breakfast ended, Tammy Thompson, president of the local Rotary club, said a record 850 citizens had a full pancake breakfast.
One of the volunteers was Norma Hoppins, and July 1 – Canada Day - is her birthday.
“Canada Day was always a blur. I’m not as old as Canada, and that's my story and I'm sticking to it,” said Hoppins with a chuckle.
In the meantime, the historical village part of Canada Day offered plenty for children to do, including playtime opportunities in the bouncy castle, children’s crafts, and getting a Canada Day sparkle tattoo.
Murray Larson, a Red Deer award-winning country singer, and the family friendly music from the Polka Dots, kept everyone entertained.
This year, there was a special 50/50 ticket draw, with the proceeds going towards building restoration.
“As it turns out, our (Bowden) train station is going to need a new roof,” said Anna Lenters, president of the Innisfail and District Historical Society, adding the 118-year-old station had a new roof after arriving to the historical village in 1974 but she’s not sure when it was done. “We had the roof examined and we’ve got one to two years to replace it.”
“This will be the first (fundraiser) and it will be a small one,” added Lenters. “We're going to start setting aside these funds, and whatever else we can raise for that roof because that's a large roofline and I don't have the price yet.
“It’s going to have a lot of zeros behind it.”
When the historical village party ended at 2 p.m., it was time for citizens to prepare for the Canada Day celebrations at Centennial Park, which officially began at 4 p.m. and ran until 11 p.m.
By 4 p.m. the weather had turned decidedly cooler and a bit blustery. Nevertheless, a large crowd of Innisfailians and out-of-towners still came.
Music and entertainment were offered from the Calgary Stampede mobile stage that was set up on the north side of the parking lot.
The performances included Macleod of Lewis, Joy’s School of Dance, the Polka Dots, Mary Ann Message, James Adams, Cole Malone, Murky Waters, Harehound and Shugarboy.
A free family area from 4 to 7 p.m. offered yard games, an inflatable obstacle course, a bounce house and a photo booth.
There were many food trucks on site, and the Innisfail Lions Club hosted a barbecue and beer gardens.
This year’s Centennial Park Canada Day party was the first one since 2019 and despite the blustery weather, there were still smiles everywhere about having the holiday celebration back at the park.
“I think it's amazing. It's just nice having everybody in the same area,” said Tasha Busch, a member of Innisfail Welcoming & Inclusive Community Committee that had a booth at the celebration. “All the different activities that are going on; the stage, the beer garden, the volunteers that are helping the kids that are down here.
“The weather's changed 20 times already, but yet there's a big crowd and people are excited to get out and see the community,” she added. “And just having the community come down, walk and check out things and see other people again.
“It's great having it down here at Centennial Park.”
