A packed slate of fun Canada Day activities is in store for Lacombe residents on July 1.
“We are organizing all of the celebrations that are happening at Cranna Lake,” said Viridiana Blignaut, marketing coordinator with Lacombe Regional Tourism which is hosting the event.
Partnering with Lacombe Tourism are the Lacombe Performing Arts Centre and K&T Events Planning.
Visitors will be able to explore a bustling market, indulge in delicious food truck treats, and enjoy lots of fun games, organizers say.
“We are starting things off at 2:30 p.m. and hoping that there will be sunshine,” she added with a chuckle.
“There will be a market with a lot of handmade crafts and delicious treats. It’s a family-friendly market with lots of vendors.
“There will also be a bike show and shine, a skateboard demo exhibition, and a big, exciting video game tournament as well,” she said.
“(Local country singer) Alecia Aichelle is performing at 6:15 p.m. with an acoustic show, and then there will be a concert at 8:30 p.m. with the (Calgary-based band) Blueprint,” she said, adding that the Lacombe Performing Arts Centre is helping to organize that particular show.
Aichelle is known for her polished country tunes and engaging style, while Blueprint deftly focuses on a number of genres from R&B, jazz/fusion, and simmering blues to rock.
Wrapping up the festivities is the Echo Lacombe Fireworks Show which is slated to kick off at 11 p.m.
“We also have a contingency plan just in case of rain – all of the activities would be hosted in the Gary Moe Auto Group Sportsplex,” she said.
“We are really excited about the whole event.”
Other highlights around town on Canada Day include events hosted by the Lacombe Legion and the Lacombe Museum.
In regard to the Museum, visitors can enjoy Canada Day cake, downtown walking tours, traditional blacksmithing demonstrations, and a whole lot of family fun for all ages from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Flatiron Building and the Blacksmith Shop Museums.
“The Lacombe Museum invites our community members to join us in discovering the stories that shaped Canada,” said Melissa Blunden, executive director.
“With our engaging programs, visitors can learn to pan for gold, make traditional dip-candles, experience traditional heritage blacksmithing, or join our knowledgeable guides on a walking tour downtown.”
Celebrate Canada cake will be served at the Allan D. Calkins Memorial Garden, outside of the Blacksmith Shop Museum, she said.
As mentioned, the Blacksmith Shop and Flatiron Building Museums will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Drop-in gold panning and dip-candle-making programs run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. as well.
Cake will served at 10 a.m. at the Blacksmith Shop Museum, and the walking tours will be leaving from the Michener House Museum & Gardens at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m.
Overall, there will be much to take in and enjoy, said Austin Weaver, executive director at Lacombe Regional Tourism.
“I think it’s fantastic to see the community come together to enjoy the day. The community has a bunch of really great activities going on, so I’m excited to see all of the vendors taking part as well,” he said
“We also want to also send a big thank you to Echo Lacombe for stepping forward to sponsor the fireworks show. We are just so happy to be working with the partners that we have, too.
“I think they are fantastic!”
For the latest updates, check out Lacombe Tourism online at www.lacombetourism.com or follow them on their social media platforms.
