OLDS — Canada Day celebrations were a little different this year.
In the past, a parade would wind through town and festivities were held in Centennial Park.
A small handful of cars did wind through town, featuring Canadian flags and other decorations. They honked their horns as they went by but otherwise, things were a lot different.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the town held a reverse parade.
Local residents were asked to decorate their homes for Canada Day and send their photos or videos into municipal officials.
The collection can be found on the town’s website and on its Facebook page.
The town also created a Canada Day video, complete with concerts, speeches by local politicians, dances by indigenous and Métis people; even a tour of Tuktoyaktuk by local couple Robyn Sorensen and Nolan Brink.
The Poverty Plainsmen wrapped up the video with a very appropriate song as the credits rolled: Everybody Say Eh!
The song says, in part:
“Hold that maple leaf up high
“And be proud of your native land.
“There’s a whole lot of good folks gave their lives
“For you and me my friend.
“So tell me why
“The first of July
“Is the only day we celebrate.”
Due to inclement weather, fireworks originally scheduled to be held on June 30, were postponed to July 3, 11 p.m. at the Rotary Athletic Park.
Meanwhile in Innisfail, local RCMP report a quiet July 1. The town's fireworks display was postponed on June 30 due to inclement weather and was instead scheduled to take place July 4 at the Innisfail Arena grounds at 10:30 p.m. or later.
