Give ‘em cake.
Red Deerians did not waste any time lining up to sample a slice of six creative and tasty centennial cakes at the Parkland Mall on Saturday.
The delectable event drew six bakers from Central Alberta who put their clever talents to the baking and decorating test in the 2013 Centennial Cake Competition.
Leslee Burton, events committee chairperson, said she was surprised there wasn’t more entries but she was pleased to see no shortage of cake samplers at Parkland Mall.
Burton said celebrating the Centennial is gaining momentum with more and more people attending events.
“(The First Night Skating Party on New Years’ Eve) kind of set the tone because people are aware of the centennial and things are going on,” said Burton.
“It’s really picked up momentum.”
And the Red Deer 2013 Centennial organizing committee is just getting warmed up as the major events continue to unfold.
“There’s no reason to leave town,” said Burton.
In March, plant lovers can purchase a little piece of history by taking home a Centennial plant from Parkland Nurseries and Garden Centre.
The three centennial plants –– Hot Wings Tatarian Maple (tree), Ivory Halo Dogwood (shrub) and Tiny Hope Lily (flower) are now available for purchase. The hardy plants were developed by Parkland to grow in this area.
“There’s something whether you have a balcony or a huge property,” said Sheila Bannerman, committee chairperson.
“There’s something for everybody.”
Vouchers are available at the centennial office (4816-Gaetz Avenue) and a table will be set up at the G.H. Dawe Community Centre and the Recreation Centre on March 24. A portion of the sales will go into the events for the centennial.
On March 25, the city celebrates its actual birthday – the day Red Deer was incorporated as a city. A special Red Deer city council meeting is planned.
Coun. Dianne Wyntjes a judge in the cake competition, said the event is still under wraps but that will be the commemorative day.
“I can’t tell you,” said Wyntjes. “We talked about the time capsule and what we’re going to do. Personally I am going to be writing a letter to the future council in 100 years ... All the other councillors may do something else. It’s shaping up to be a good year so far.
Some March Centennial Events:
l March 20 - Central Alberta Historical Society presents local historian Michael Dawe who will give a talk entitled 1913 Red Deer becomes a City, in the Snell Auditorium at the Red Deer Public Library.
l March 23 - International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Go to www.immigrant-centre.ca for information.
l March 24 - Free entry to G.H. Dawe Community Centre, Collicutt Centre and the Recreation Centre. Committee members, city council and city staffers will be present.
l March 25 - The City’s official centennial birthday (incorporation date). Special city council meeting in council chambers.
For a complete list of events go to www.reddeer2013.ca and check out the Red Deer 2013 Centennial Facebook group.
crhyno@www.reddeeradvocate.com