British Redcoats came to Sundre last week, not to invade but rather to inform and entertain.
The group of historical re-enactors from Calgary who brought with them replica muskets and a cannon were a welcome addition to the Canada Day celebrations at the Sundre Pioneer Village.
“That was a real draw,” said William Davies, interim director of the Sundre and District Museum, adding people seemed really interested.
“They were a real bonus,” said Davies, calling the group “a real crowd-pleaser.”
John Kingsbury, from Sundre, said the demonstrations, which featured fully functional replicas including a cannon cast from an original, were well done and very realistic.
“And there was a lot of good explanation about how the equipment worked, what happened in a real battle, how the soldiers were trained. It was very informative,” said Kingsbury, calling the Cannoneers a great addition to this year’s Canada Day events.
Sarah Jones, the sergeant in charge of the Cannoneers historical re-enactors from Calgary, fires the cannon. Simon Ducatel/MVP Staff
Sarah Jones, the sergeant in charge of the gunners, seemed glad for the chance to celebrate Canada Day in town.
“Sundre’s just wonderful to come through,” said Jones, who was grateful for the good weather earlier that day.
“Between the car show and seeing the legion out, and the RCMP, it’s just a terrific event to be a part of.”
David Borys, who made arrangements for the program of events at the Pioneer Village Museum, including extending an invitation to the Cannoneers, was glad the group was able to attend and said everything worked out well.
“They actually did two other events that week but came out anyway,” said Borys, a member of the historical society’s board who was elected chair of the Canada Day event organizing committee.
Borys, who also once again fired up the blacksmith’s forge offering live demonstrations of his own, said the Cannoneers’ performance could not have worked out much better.
“It’s very rare to have a five-musket fire salute go off that perfect — no misfires or delays. That’s not something you see often,” he said.
Organizers could not have hoped for better weather with clear, blue skies to start. But conditions unfortunately turned for the worse with rain clouds rolling in before the end of the afternoon, prompting the owners of the vehicles displayed for the car show and the large crowd that turned out, which included lots of families, to disperse earlier than anticipated, said Davies.
However, he estimates that at least 2,000 people came out to celebrate Canada Day in Sundre.
“It was super,” he said, describing the ambiance at the pioneer village as a “festival atmosphere.”
About 150 people were served a pancake and sausage breakfast courtesy of Todd Dalke, who owns the local Fountain Tire. Afterwards, bagpiper Daniel Anderson led members of the Sundre Royal Canadian Legion Branch #223 and RCMP, as well as the Cannoneers who donned 18th century style British military uniforms, on a march to the pioneer village from the museum.
Before Jen Day sang O Canada, Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre MLA Jason Nixon addressed the crowd, telling those who gathered that Canada Day is an opportunity for Canadians from coast to coast to come celebrate together as well as recognize what makes “the true north strong and free” a great country.
“We really come from a very special place,” he said, earlier pointing out that people and communities are what make a country.
“It always reminds me that we stand on the shoulders of giants that were able to bring together what is really the best country in the world.”
After the flag was raised, the Cannoneers fired their muskets, followed shortly afterwards by their first demonstrations with the cannon as a crowd gathered around to see how the artillery piece was primed and loaded.
Other activities included face painting and balloons for kids, the opportunity to explore the pioneer village museum’s historic buildings, the car show, some food vendors, and a beer garden.
There were about 120 vehicles that came through, of which 116 were officially registered, said Heather Fike, the car show organizer.
“We offered a few extra spots for some who couldn’t stay for the whole time,” said Fike, adding, “Hopefully next year they’ll register.”
Fike said Canada Day is an ideal date for the car show. After expenses, she said almost $900 was raised for the museum from proceeds generated by registrations.
“It was a great turnout. I just wish the weather would have held out a couple more hours,” she said.
But there were no complaints brought to her attention, and she added all of the food vendors she spoke with expressed an interest in returning next year. She also extended her gratitude to all of the volunteers who helped out, as well as everybody who came out to enjoy the event.
Fike is also researching the steps involved in rolling out a car club in Sundre and encourages anyone who is interested in getting involved to reach her by email at [email protected]
“It was a great Canada Day celebration,” said Davies. “Everyone was in a good mood.”
While a survey run by members of the Sundre and District Chamber of Commerce indicated most people came out from the surrounding area, Davies said a few tourists from Europe and the U.S. were among the visitors.
Sundre’s Canada Day community celebration was made possible through a collaborative effort among the Town of Sundre, the Sundre and District Historical Society, as well as volunteers who worked to organize the car show and the Cannoneers. Federal grant funding from Heritage Canada also contributed to making the event possible, he said.
“We had exceptional volunteers that made the event run effortlessly,” said Barb Rock, community services assistant, who organized the cake ceremony, music and entertainment.
“I saw many local people and also some that had moved away from Sundre come out for the event; the mood was energetic and pleasant,” said Rock.
The day's events wrapped up with the fireworks display at the ball diamonds near Snake Hill, she said.
“While everyone was waiting for the show, we passed out cupcakes. It was lightly raining, a little cool, but everyone was prepared to watch the fireworks show.”
Looking ahead to next year, organizers are already considering options, including one suggestion to introduce into the day’s events a staged Wild West gunfight featuring “bandits” who ride in and hide among the crowd until a sheriff and posse show up looking for them, said Davies.
Rock added anyone interested in getting involved to help plan next year's Canada Day celebration is encouraged to call the community services office at 403-638-2042, or email [email protected].
