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Bashaw to celebrate centennial

Bashaw residents are preparing to join hundreds of past residents in celebrating the town’s 100th anniversary.

Bashaw residents are preparing to join hundreds of past residents in celebrating the town’s 100th anniversary.

The Bashaw Centennial and Homecoming will bring a jam-packed weekend of family fun and fellowship from Aug. 19 to 21.

The celebrations will include community meals, country bench and art show and an old-fashioned family fun parade. Entertainers include The X-Tatix Big Band, which got its start in Bashaw.

A grandstand show featuring Gord Bamford, Canadian Country Music Association’s Male Artist of the Year, and hometown artists Jalayne Tradler and Ty Christian Wilson will be held on Saturday, Aug. 20, at the Bashaw Rodeo Grounds. Fireworks will cap off the night.

“We are so excited to welcome back all of the families who have helped to mould Bashaw’s rich heritage,” said planning committee chair Peter Graham.

One special aspect of the weekend will pay homage to the legendary story of how Bashaw was won in a poker game by Alix resident Andy Allan. Allan later sold the quarter section to Eugene Bashaw for $500. A community poker game will be held on the Saturday to honour the story.

A time capsule will be buried next to a statue on Sunday, Aug. 21, at the tourist booth from 1 to 1:30 p.m.

“We’ve commissioned (the creation of) statues and one of them is going to go right beside the tourist booth,” said Jackie Northey of the Centennial Planning Committee.

Northey said the grandstand show will be an exciting one with local talent, including Bamford, who is from Lacombe. Reynolds-Alberta Museum is holding demonstrations from 1 to 5 p.m. on the Ag grounds.

“We’ve got a lot of people coming home so they’re looking forward to seeing old friends and family,” said Northey.

Homecoming passes can be purchased online at www.enjoybashaw.com.

Full weekend passes, including six meals, must be bought by Friday. They are $100 for a single pass and $300 for two adults and their children.

Passes without meals can still be bought after that date. A single pass runs $30, $90 for family. Passes can be bought at Neighbourhood Place.

ltester@www.reddeeradvocate.com