Communities Celebrate Canada Day With Plenty Of Family Fun

Communities across the region came together on July 1 to celebrate Canada Day with a strong sense of community, patriotism, and family fun. From Vermilion and Mannville to Wainwright and Lloydminster, residents proudly dressed in red and white, gathered with family and friends, and took part in a wide variety of activities that showcased the spirit of the day.

Vermilion’s celebrations at the Vermilion Agricultural Grounds drew families throughout the day for activities that offered something for every age group. While unsettled weather prompted a venue change, both the Sanctioned Stock Dog Jackpot and the crowd-favourite Corgi races were relocated to the Lakeland College Equine Centre, where the events continued successfully indoors.

Vermilion VIBE kept children entertained with crafts, games, scavenger hunts, and geocaching, while the bouncy houses remained a popular attraction throughout the day.

Protective Services added a fundraising opportunity by hosting a dunk tank in support of the Vermilion Food Bank, giving community members the chance to cool off while raising funds for a worthwhile local cause.

Following the opening ceremonies and O Canada, attendees could make their way to the Equine Centre, to cheers on their favourite corgie while it raced to the finish line.

The evening’s drive-in movie was relocated to the Stadium parking lot, where families settled in to enjoy Disney Pixar’s Hoppers. The celebrations concluded with a spectacular fireworks display that lit up the night sky, providing a fitting end to another successful Canada Day.

Mannville enjoyed beautiful celebrations that unfolded as planned. The day began with a community pancake breakfast hosted by Mannville FCSS, where residents were welcomed by Mayor Reid Roland during the opening ceremonies. The ceremony also featured the playing and singing of O Canada by sisters Eunice and Ezrella.

“Thank you to all of our volunteers, and I hope everyone enjoys themselves on Canada Day here as we celebrate this great nation’s birthday in our beautiful village. Enjoy all the activities and enjoy each other’s company,” said Mayor Reid Roland.

An impressive Indigenous dance performance followed, featuring an Inter-Tribal Dance and a Round Dance.

“A rave and a thank you to the Village of Mannville and FCSS for hosting us, and a HUGE thank you to all of our audience and our participants in the Inter-Tribal and Round Dance.

Thank you for creating a safe space for us and making history with us in Mannville today in so many ways, and for your kind words and encouragement,” said Kevin John in a Facebook post.

Families spent the day enjoying the bouncy castle, drop-in bingo, mini golf, the Show and Shine, fire truck demonstrations, children’s activities, and a community barbecue lunch hosted by the 4-H Club, while the beer gardens welcomed visitors later in the afternoon. The evening concluded with fireworks that brought another successful Canada Day celebration to a close.

At CFB Wainwright, attendees gathered at the Fish Pond for an afternoon and evening filled with entertainment, food vendors, family attractions, and live music. Children stayed busy exploring inflatable attractions, the Ninja Obstacle Course, the petting zoo, face painting, balloon animals, and interactive performances throughout the afternoon.

Although rain showers moved through the area during the afternoon and evening, they did little to dampen the enthusiasm of those attending. Festival-goers embraced the weather, continuing to enjoy the food vendors (including a tent which served lobster on a bun), beer gardens, and live band entertainment from from Over The Moon Acoustic Band, Jordyn Pollard, Sparrow Blue, and Brayden King.

Internationally acclaimed country artist Jess Moskaluke delivered an energetic performance despite stormy weather forcing her set to end earlier than planned. Even with the shortened performance, attendees were still able to enjoy most of her show, and the positive atmosphere carried on throughout the evening. Aside from the brief interruption to the concert, the remainder of the festivities continued as planned, with visitors making the most of the celebration despite the passing showers. The evening wrapped up with a spectacular fireworks display, providing a memorable finale to the day.

Lloydminster also enjoyed a full day of uninterrupted celebrations at Bud Miller All Seasons Park. Presented by The Co-operators – Anderson Insurance Group, the festivities featured live entertainment, horse-drawn wagon rides, a petting zoo, rock climbing, food vendors, family activities, and plenty of opportunities for children to stay active throughout the day.

The Hillside Outlaws had the crowd singing along during the evening concert before another impressive fireworks display capped off the celebrations. From beginning to end, Lloydminster’s festivities ran smoothly, allowing residents and visitors to fully enjoy Canada’s birthday.

Across all communities, one thing remained constant: the pride Canadians have in their country and in one another. Whether gathered at community events, enjoying live entertainment, sharing meals with neighbours, or watching fireworks light up the night sky, people came together to celebrate not only Canada but also the strength of their local communities.