SUNDRE – A plethora of family-friendly activities is lined up for local Canada Day celebrations.
The main community events, which are the result of a collaborative partnership among the municipality, the Sundre & District Historical Society, The Den – Sundre Youth Centre, as well as the West Country Cruisers Sundre & Area, unfold at the Sundre & District Museum as well as the historic pioneer village grounds, where the gates open at no cost to the public starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 1.
Admission to the museum gallery as well as the World of Wildlife is by donation, and no pets are allowed with the exception of service animals.
The traditional flag raising ceremony is at 11 a.m., followed shortly afterward by the barbecue sponsored by the municipality and hosted by members of council.
An artisan market at the Sundre Elks Lodge No 338 hall will also be running from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., while the Bergen Farmer’s Market at the Bergen Community Hall south of town goes from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Registration for the West Country Cruisers’ car show opens at 8 a.m. and winds up at 10 a.m., with awards presentations lined up at 1:30 p.m.
“There were gift awards before, (but) this year we actually have top five trophies,” said Erin Erickson, an organizer with the car club, adding they’ve planned for an anticipated 150 participants.
“Volunteers will vote for their five favourite vehicles and the one with the most votes wins,” said Erickson, adding there will also be a mayor’s choice award this year.
Vintage vehicles dating back to the 1950s are earlier will be invited to park at the museum’s grassy area in the historic pioneer village grounds on prominent display for the public to enjoy as they make their rounds.
Meanwhile, Tim Hus and his band will be performing live music from noon to 2 p.m. at the pioneer village grounds’ outdoor stage.
There will also be some games for kids at the pioneer village.
“The museum is hosting traditional games for the youth (such as) sack races, tug of war, peanut scrambles and the like,” said Carrie Couch, the museum’s executive director.
On the other side of town later in the day, Wagons West RV Park will be hosting a live pro wrestling event put on by CanAm Wrestling, with matches getting started at 6 p.m.
People who want to check out the action-packed and adrenalin-fuelled performances will have to buy tickets, with proceeds being donated toward an effort to construct a new building for the Olds Mountain View Christian School, said Shawna Brackley, who co-owns an operates Wagons West with husband Mark.
According to its website, the fully-accredited private school’s mission is to provide students a Biblically-based education.
And then later at night depending on the weather or potential fire restrictions or bans, there will be a fireworks display at the Sundre Rodeo Ground at dusk wrapping up Sundre’s celebration of Canada Day.
Couch praised as remarkable the community partnerships forged in Sundre that make the celebration of Canada Day such a great success.
“Sundre is a community that comes together to bring its citizens the very best and it never ceases to amaze me the spirit our little community has,” she said, adding that July 1 “is a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate Sundre’s hospitality and hometown togetherness as we all welcome summer and celebrate Canada’s birthday!
