Pickardville hosted its traditional Canada Day celebration on July 1 making it bigger and better to tie in the 100 anniversary of their community hall.
The day started with a pancake breakfast featuring sausages, eggs, juice and pancakes. Over 400 residents came out to enjoy the fresh breakfast made by the board members and volunteers from Pickardville Community Hall and Westlock Legion.
Then residents gathered along the main street starting at St. Benoit Church and finishing at the hall before looping back around. Dozens of residents decked out their trucks, tractors and emergency vehicles in red and white to show off their pride.
The Silhouette Dance group performed along the route, dressed in Disney garb for their upcoming trip to California while candy was thrown from the vehicles to the kids on the sidelines.
Judy Chamzuk was the organizer of the parade and was also on the final float designed for the Pickardville Community Hall. The banner and balloons were a sight for every patriot celebrating the day. “No one wanted to organize the parade anymore so I took on that role as I’m just a kid at heart and couldn’t have a July first without one,” Chamzuk said.
The day did not end with the morning parade but went well into mid-afternoon as kids hit up the bouncy castle, temporary tattoo and face painting booths between claiming their free cotton candy and popcorn. Many adults headed back into the community hall for a slice of pie. Pickardville residents donated over 60 pies as part of their pie sale.
A Canada Day celebration could not be complete without a concession stand consisting of perfectly barbecued hotdogs and hamburgers, a chilled drink and a chocolate bar to finish it off.
As it is a memorable occasion for many in the community, members of the board put together a merchandise table to sell Pickardville themed water bottles, hats, lunch kits, bags, keychains and pens.
Shirley Pierce is another organizer of the event who has a special place in her heart for the Westlock County community. “It is nice to celebrate something that is that old because it's something to be celebrated, something to be enjoyed because there aren't a lot around”
Pickardville Community Hall is the oldest hall in Westlock and one of the oldest buildings behind the Hazelbluff Church. The hall holds the memories of community members past and present that will continue to build a place everyone can call home.
