High Prairie: fun for all the kids and 15% off at IGA!

Get ready to party High Prairie style and raise some money for local organizations at the same time.

Canada Day activities will be held at the Freson IGA parking lot from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with proceeds from activities being split between the High Prairie and District Children’s Resource Council and Marigold Enterprises.

Everything from genuine theatre popcorn for $1 to a hockey shootout will be held.

A barbecue begins the day and occurs all four hours. Balloons, face painting, a treasure hunt, a bubble table, pie tossing contest, ring toss, tattoos and a ball toss are some of the activities being held.

Michael Smith is the goaltender for the Canada Day Hockey Shootout.

“Take your best shot and, maybe, if you can get one by me, you could win a show pass,” says Smith, owner of the Park Theatre.

Cost to attempt to score on Smith is $2 for adults and $1 for children.

Freson IGA is also offering 15 per cent off all groceries from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Also, 36” x 60” Canadian flags will be sold for $3.99 each thereby allowing everyone to show their national pride.

Uncle Mike’s Ice Cream will also be attending and selling their delicious treats.

Events will be held weather permitting but the store sales at IGA proceed regardless.

There is no charge to attend.



Swan River: 2 days of rodeo action!

As Swan River prepares to celebrate the Canada Day weekend this year, they are still taking time to remember those less fortunate in Slave Lake after the mid-May wildfire disaster.

Therefore, instead of charging admission they are asking for donations for the Slave Lake Native Friendship Centre Community Food Bank.

Swan River First Nation celebrates its 3rd Annual Rodeo July 1-2. Being a sanctioned rodeo by more than one organization, it goes rain or shine on the grounds just south of Kinuso hamlet.

Events begin July 1 with the parade at 10 a.m. in Kinuso. Inquiries can be directed to Charlene Hunt at 780-775-2177 or 780-775-3673. Lineup starts at 9 a.m.

The rodeo begins at 1 p.m. each day and features all the major events including bull riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc, tie down roping, bareback, senior roping, ladies breakaway roping, and ladies barrel racing. Junior rodeo events include steer riding and barrel racing. Cow milking for men and women is also included.

Children’s activities include a petting zoo, calf scramble, face painting and pony rides to name a few.

Youth hand games start at 3 p.m. each day. Children 17 years and under can enter for $50 a team with a full payout plus $750 promised.

A dance July 1 from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. at the Kinuso Agricultural Hall costs $15 per person to attend. Tickets will be on sale at the rodeo grounds.

A talent show occurs July 2 at 5 p.m. with anyone interested able to register on the rodeo grounds until 3 p.m. July 2.

A daily steak supper occurs each day from 5-7 p.m.

Fireworks end two days of jam-packed activities July 2 at dusk.



Triangle: a blast from the past to enjoy!

If it ain’t broke, don’t fit it.

It’s the motto that best describes Canada Day festivities held by the Pioneer Threshermen’s Association each year at Triangle. The hundreds of people who attend each year have come to know and love what the association offers so expect many of the same activities this year.

The bash begins June 30 with a jamboree in the Triangle Hall from 7:30-11:30 p.m. Admission is $5 for a full night of entertainment.

Major events begin the next day with a $5 pancake breakfast from 8-10 a.m.

After breakfast, people can browse through the flea market in the hall from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tables cost $10 and can be booked by calling Mandy Fjeld at 780-523-2651.

The modified tractor pull goes at 11:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.

A wide variety of children’s games occur beginning at the early afternoon and proceeding off and on all day.

Only one antique machinery parade occurs this year rather than two, at 2 p.m., when people can listen to the powerful engines of yesteryear make their way around the grounds.

There are also a host of other activities and demonstrations during the day including blacksmithing demos, flour grinding, a silent auction, saw milling demos and a sheep dog herding demo featuring Eric Verstappen. He also tentatively plans a shearing demonstration.

The supper begins at 5 p.m. and costs $12. Audrey’s Catering is providing the meal so everyone knows a delicious meal will be provided.

A dance with a live band, Meltdown, ends the day’s activities.

Gate admission is $10 with food sold on location. Children under 12 are admitted free.

Organizers ask that no pets be brought to the grounds and remind everyone alcohol is not permitted.

Fireworks ends the day's festivities.



Joussard: food, fun and fireworks!

Joussard will be awash in red and white on Canada Day as the hamlet rolls out the carpet for its annual festivities.

Activities will be very similar to last year, says JCA board member and Canada Day organizer Noreen Tomkins.

And with more and more people numbering in the hundreds each year, why change a good thing?

Free events begin from 8:30-11 a.m. with a pancake breakfast at the Joussard Homesteaders Centre. From there events shift to the community hall and the grounds at 11 a.m. for a full afternoon and evening of activities.

The hall opens at 11 a.m. and everyone attending will be given gift bags, pins, tattoos and balloons. Opening ceremonies occur at about 11:30 a.m. with the singing of the national anthem in both English and French.

Kicking off the afternoon will be the popular bicycle parade at about noon to 12:30 p.m. Dozens of children enter this popular contest each year.

Afterwards, the games kick into high gear for both adults and children. Children will enjoy a variety of fun games while the adults test their skills in cribbage, horseshoes, etc.

The popular dunk tank makes its return so everyone is urged to limber up their pitching arms for a chance to dunk their favourite celebrity.

A concession inside the hall will ensure no one goes hungry.

A music jamboree occurs from 4-8 p.m. which has the grounds rocking. Supper is held shortly after the jamboree begins which runs until 8 p.m., then the dance until 11 p.m.

A fireworks display ends the day at dusk.