Art In The Park And The Man Van A Huge Success

This past Saturday, September 13, Vermilion’s Heritage Park came alive with creativity, community spirit, and a strong message about health awareness as Art in the Park returned with tremendous success.

One of the day’s highlight was the arrival of The Man Van, the Prostate Cancer Centre’s (PCC) mobile men’s health clinic, made possible through the support of Inter Pipeline. The clinic offered free PSA blood testing for men aged 40–70, along with blood sugar, waist circumference, and stress checks for men 18 and older. Dozens of local men took advantage of the opportunity, making proactive steps toward their health.

Organizers were thrilled with the turnout and the number of participants who engaged in conversations about men’s health and early detection. With prostate cancer affecting one in six men in Alberta—and even higher rates among Black and Indigenous men-the message of prevention and awareness struck an important chord with the community.

Meanwhile, the Art in the Park festivities added colour, vibrancy, and creativity to the day. The artisan market, filled with talented vendors, offered everything from handcrafted jewelry and sculptures to unique local creations that drew shoppers throughout the afternoon. A new addition this year, the Children’s Market, was a standout success, with young entrepreneurs proudly displaying and selling their handmade goods.

Visitors were also treated to a complimentary lunch prepared by Zayn’s Diner, along with free cinnamon buns, courtesy of Inter Pipeline. Both were met with rave reviews and helped keep energy high as families and friends browsed the vendor booths and enjoyed the day’s activities.

The art classes were another major highlight. Artist Monica To’s “Morning Masterpieces” and “Coffee and Canvases” sessions were well-attended, offering adults the chance to tap into their creative side while learning new skills. At the same time, children eagerly participated in classes led by artist Colleen Hoegl, with “Little Picasso” in the morning and “Afternoon Art Adventures” in the afternoon. The young participants proudly walked away with their own works of art, showcasing Vermilion’s next generation of talent.

The Goodlife Institute, the event’s host, along with its main sponsor, Inter Pipeline, were delighted with the turnout and the positive feedback from the community. With art, wellness, and community spirit woven seamlessly together, the day demonstrated what makes Vermilion such a special place to call home.

“Seeing families, vendors, and community members come together while also raising awareness about such an important health issue truly shows the strength of Vermilion,” said The Goodlife Institute’s Paige Jaremco. “ The market was the largest yet and it was such a successful and amazing day.”