The night skies will light up in Central Alberta as Canada celebrates its 145th birthday on Sunday.
The Red Deer Cultural Heritage Society presents its 43rd annual celebration, when activities kick off at Bower Ponds at 11 a.m., with all-day festivities until 11:15 p.m.
There will be a taste of cuisine from nine different countries and multicultural dance groups and musicians will perform from 11:30 a.m. until 6 p.m.
“Anyone who wants to meet people and hang out in a beautiful setting and experience multiculturalism with great food and entertainment should come on down and bring the whole family,” said Red Deer Cultural Heritage Society special events co-ordinator Sherry Scheunert.
The evening show starts at 6:45 p.m. with an onstage lineup that includes Ariane Marhyke-Lemire, The Jacobson Four, It’s Time and Fun in the Front Seat.
A large red and white birthday cake will be served up at 2:30 p.m. at Cronquist House, after the opening ceremonies on the main stage.
A 15-minute fireworks show is set for 11:15 p.m.
“People who are across the river will be able to see them and it should be a great show,” Scheunert said.
She said the festivities are free but there will be eight to 10 community non-profit groups set up for information.
“They may accept donations.”
Since there’s no in-park vehicle parking allowed, people can walk, cycle or take buses to the site.
Organizers are setting up a bike corral for the first time so people can park their bikes in a designated area. Also park and ride service starts at 10:45 a.m. and runs between Bower Ponds and the Memorial Centre parking lot every 15 minutes.
No pets are allowed at Red Deer’s Canada Day party.
Other Canada Day events throughout the region include:
• Fireworks in Lacombe at Cranna Lake, starting at 10 p.m. The English Estates Co-op free pancake breakfast goes from 8 to 11 a.m. There will be blacksmith demonstrations and guided tours of historic downtown all day. A full list of events can be found at lacombeevents.ca.
• Fireworks in Blackfalds are at dusk at All-Star Park. The community is also invited to attend the park at 8 p.m. for Canada Day cookies.
• Rocky Mountain House will serve up a pancake breakfast at the Rocky museum starting at 8 a.m. Activities will be taking place at the National Historic site, six km west of Rocky on Hwy 11A, with an outdoor concert at 7 p.m. Fireworks kick off at 11:10 p.m.
• Ponoka will have a barbecue and cake starting at 11 a.m. at the Hamilton IGA parking lot. The Klaglahachie Fine Arts Society will also hold festivities in the parking lot of the United Church from 1 to 7 p.m. There will be games, children activities, face-painting, entertainment and a Canada Day cake served up at 2 p.m. The Town of Ponoka will shuttle people between the two events. Fireworks will be held at dusk from the Ponoka Stampede grounds.
• Sylvan Lake will hold family fun events from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the pier. The Legion Ladies’ Auxiliary breakfast will be held at 9 a.m. at the legion, with a barbecue to follow from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. A parade from 2 to 3 p.m. featuring the Colour Party and the Innisfail Legion Pipe Band begins at Memorial Park and ends at the Pier. Fireworks start at 10:30 p.m. on the pier.
• Bowden will hold a barbecue, kids games, pony rides and live entertainment starting at 5:30 p.m. at the Bowden Rodeo grounds. Fireworks start at dusk. Transportation is available from the Town of Bowden to the Bowden Rodeo grounds. Contact 403-224-3805 or 403-597-2683 for a bus schedule.
• Olds will hold its celebrations in Centennial Park from 3 to 6 p.m. featuring a carnival, inflatable obstacle course, refreshments and musical entertainment from Run Romeo Run and Misdemeanor. Fireworks are planned for dusk. Park at No Frills or the Canadian Tire parking lots.
• Stettler’s Canada Day entertainment starts at 8 p.m. with the band Jute Box Leigh in West Stettler Park, with fireworks at dusk.
• Rimbey starts off with an 8 to 11 a.m. pancake breakfast in Pas-Ka-Poo Park, followed by activities and face-painting. A charity fun run begins at 9 a.m., with live music at 10 a.m. Canada Day opening ceremonies begin at 1 p.m. Fireworks will take place between 11 and 11:30 p.m.
• The Village of Donalda, 111 km east of Red Deer, will be hosting a weekend of music with multiple singers and performers on Saturday and Sunday. For more information, visit www.donalda.ab.ca. Organizers say several events are free, including a 8 p.m. performance by the band Domino on Sunday on the outdoor lamp stage.
• Alix, 54 km east of Red Deer, will be celebrating Canada Day with off-road racing at the Trail Creek Race Way, 6 km east of Alix on Hwy 12, on Saturday and Sunday. Gates open at 10 a.m. with racing to start at noon. Visit www.highriders.ca.
• Sundre’s festivities go from 12:30 to 10:30 p.m. at the Sundre museum. There will be a pet parade at 2:30 p.m. and activities such as mini golf, a dunk tank and barbecue in the afternoon. Fireworks, at the ball diamonds, will take place at dusk.
• Historic Markerville Canada Day celebrations kick off at 10 a.m. at the Markerville Creamery Museum, 41 km south west of Red Deer.
• The Innisfail Historic Village will hold festivities on Saturday with a street dance and fireworks at dusk. On Sunday from 2 to 6 p.m. there will be entertainment, activities for the kids, food and more.
Sunday’s forecast is a mix of sun and cloud with a high of 21C.
jjones@www.reddeeradvocate.com