With Canada’s 146th birthday right around the corner, area communities are preparing to celebrate with a number of activities going on around the county.
The town of Westlock’s Canada Day activities will all take place near the pool, said community services programming supervisor Deanne Rouse.
The action starts at 1 p.m. when the pool opens for its annual free swim, lasting until 5 p.m. For those not into swimming, Rouse said there are many other activities going on for families to enjoy.
There will be a barbecue taking place from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m., complete with a complimentary Canada Day cake.
Alongside the barbecue, kids looking to have a little fun will be able to take part in the kids’ zone, complete with face painting, a colouring contest, sidewalk chalk drawing, crafts and other activities.
For the most athletically inclined, there will be drop-in soccer running from 3 p.m. until 4 p.m. on the fields behind Westlock Elementary School. Starting at 4 p.m., capture the flag will take over the same field until 5 p.m.
The festivities take a break at 6 p.m. until around 10 p.m., when the pre-fireworks activities start on the field behind WES.
At five minutes to 11 p.m., Rouse said O Canada will be sung, followed by the fireworks at 11 p.m.
Up north in Dapp, the hamlet starts celebrating a 9 a.m. with a pancake breakfast at the hall. Admission to the breakfast is $2, said organizer Valerie Montgomery, and all the proceeds will go to the food bank.
Following the breakfast, revellers are invited to line Main Street to take in the parade, which starts at 11 a.m.
Once the parade ends, the festivities make their way north to the “mosquito dome,” or Dapp ball diamonds, where the party will begin in earnest.
At the ball diamonds, visitors can find activities ranging from horseshoes, a crafts tent, a money pit, pie throwing, a Jello eating contest, an obstacle course and lasso golf.
Beach volleyball will also be available, as well as daylong concessions and an open beer garden.
The day wraps up with a steak supper at 5 p.m.
All the day’s events are organized and put on by the Dapp 3D Social Club.
In Pickardville, the festivities begin at 8 a.m. at the hall with a pancake breakfast that runs until 10 a.m.
Immediately after the breakfast is done, all the floats and other entries in the annual Canada Day parade will gather at the Catholic church. Once they’re all lined up, the parade will start winding its way through the community at 10:30 a.m.
Starting at 11 a.m., the fun and games really get underway. Along Main Street, the car show will be the centre of attention from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m., while the outdoor market will be set up beside the hall from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. Anyone interested in showing off their tractors in invited to enter the tractor show from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. behind the United Church.
Face painting, bouncy houses, a money pit and a ball toss will run all day over at the fire hall.
Also at the fire hall, the Marcel Boucher Memorial Horseshoe Tournament will draw crowds from noon until 5 p.m.
In the evening, the hall will host the firemen’s steak barbecue from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m., followed by lawn mower races at the sports grounds from 8 p.m. until 10 p.m.
The grand finale will be the fireworks display at the sports grounds once the lawn mower races are over.
At the far end of Westlock County, the hamlet of Fawcett has a slew of activities planned for Canada Day, starting with a pancake breakfast.
Afterwards, people are invited to line up along Main Street for the annual parade, which will include floats, entertainment and candy for the kids.
The festivities then move to the sports grounds for a volleyball tournament and ball games. Those looking for a little sustenance can visit the Fawcett Seniors Centre from 11:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. for lunch. The menu includes beef on a bun, potato salad, beans and coffee cake, all for $8. For $4, one can have pie and coffee.
Out at Long Island Lake, a $4 day pass will give park visitors access to a whole host of activities.
There will be kids activities and games, as well as several volleyball courts open to be played on.
For those interested in getting all dolled up for the occasion, there will be booths set up to get a brand new tattoo or pick up some glow bracelets.
In Clyde, the demise of the rec board means nothing is planned. However, Coun. Doug Nyal said the village will still hang Canada flags from the lamp posts along Main Street. There may also be a fireworks display, but nothing has been confirmed.
