Everything from country music and chalk art to beading and blacksmithing demos are in the offing for Alberta Culture Days in Lacombe later this month.
Lacombe is one of five Alberta communities that received $20,000 from the province to stage an arts and culture extravaganza on Friday, Sept. 28 to Sunday, Sept. 30. The city is considered a “feature celebration site” along with Fort McMurray, Calgary, Edmonton and High River.
The money granted by Alberta Culture to the Lacombe Performing Arts Centre is being put to good use to highlight local talent, said Marie Péron, executive director for the Lacombe regional tourism office and the district’s historical society.
As well, an equally large grant received by Lacombe Tourism from Alberta Agriculture’s rural initiatives program will be used to spotlight Lacombe’s heritage, Péron added. “It’s going to be wonderful to bring the assets we have forward . . .
“We’re excited to showcase local talent, and this is a great opportunity for the community to celebrate its culture and history.”
Lacombe’s mostly free calendar of events runs the full three days at various venues, including the Lacombe Memorial Centre, Alberta Downs, Michener Park, the Lacombe Mall, the Michener House Museum, and the Lacombe Corn Maze.
Country singers Tera Lee, Shae-Lee, and J.C. Storm will perform. There will also be buskers around town, magic shows by Kyle Key, and a Lacombe’s Got Talent show.
Lessons in flower arranging, photography, cartooning, beading and interior design will be given (some of these are for a fee and pre-registration is required). There will be woodworking and farm equipment displays, and chalk art, dance and blacksmithing demos. Children’s puppet theatre, a drumming circle, and a historic walking tour will also be offered.
A pancake breakfast, cake celebration, and barbecue lunch will be served up in Lacombe. And there will be fireworks at Alberta Downs from 10 p.m. on Saturday and a midway at Michener Park.
A complete timetable of events can be viewed at www.heartoflacombe.ca.