Three years of work culminated in a very special day at Athabasca’s riverfront park over the weekend. Over 500 people from across the town and county came together Saturday for the final installment of Athabasca’s centennial celebrations.
The event was three years in the making, explained Joan Veenstra, who spearheaded the riverfront effort for the centennial committee.
“It’s good to have it over with, but it was really a lot of fun when we did it,” she said, adding that even though the slew of centennial celebrations were a lot of work, the effort was well worth it.
The crowd was pleased to partake in a hot dog barbecue and fresh popcorn, put on by the local Lions Club. Ty Hart and Friends serenaded the crowd from the stage, while children and adults alike enjoyed the games and activities available. Loads of centennial and town-themed clothing was raffled off throughout the event.
One of the most joy-provoking attractions were the handmade kites flying high in the sky. Made and commandeered by Sharan Khurana, the kites, which sported the Athabasca centennial logo, were a crowd pleaser even though some seemed determined to stay grounded.
For those interested in keeping their eyes off the skies, there was mini golf and beanbag toss, riverfront natural history tours, an authentic tipi provided by the Native Friendship Centre and, of course, a centennial-themed cake made by Liz Deisting.
The event ended in spectacular fashion, as it has in previous years.
After registering their names, the more than 500 people present gathered in front of a centennial sign for the photo that everyone was waiting for.
With a photographer perched on a cherry picker, the crowd waited patiently as minor adjustments were made to the mass of people. Unlike previous years, there was no attempt to arrange the crowd to spell out 100.
In the end, those present will become an official part of Athabasca’s history in photographs.
It was not all about the town at this gathering, though. A few groups were acknowledged for their 100 years as part of the community.
The homestead families of Salé, Olson, Dupilka, Pearson and Richards (originally Vilsmeyer) all received plaques for their families’ commitment to the Athabasca region. The Health Care Centre and Fire Department also received awards for their long-time service to the town and its people.
Veenstra emphasized the importance of all of the volunteers that helped make the event possible.
“If there’s anyone that we need to say thanks to, it is the Town of Athabasca,” she said. “We couldn’t have done it without them.”
Chair of the centennial committee, town councillor Paula Evans, added a thank you to organizers of Taste of Athabasca, who they worked together with to make an action-packed day.
And there is still one surprise to go, Evans added, the unveiling of a commemorative sculpture at the waterfront.
