Organizers are busy prepping for this year’s Active Living Fair, which runs Sept. 13 from 4 to 7:30 p.m. at the Lacombe Memorial Centre.
The deadline to book a table is Sept. 9. To do so, call 403-782-7955 or email office@cllla.com.
“The Active Living Fair is kind of like a community registration and sign-up evening,” said Dani Ducross, executive director of the Lacombe Lifelong Learning Association. It’s also an excellent means of exploring volunteering opportunities, she said.
“Come and see what the new programs are. You may not necessarily have to register for them there, but you can come and ask questions, and basically ‘shop’ for something to do for the fall,” she said. This year marks the event’s 43rd anniversary.
Meanwhile, as Ducross explained, several community programs have already started up and are ongoing.
“But they will often attend the fair because they may still have spaces to fill,” she said, adding that other organizations in town will use the Active Living Fair as their main registration event.
“There are just so many things — there is pickleball, the Lacombe Performing Arts Centre will also be highlighting what they will be doing this season, the after-school programs will be represented plus many others.”
Virtually all of the organizations in Lacombe that offer programming throughout the year will be coming to this event, she said.
“There are programs for the little ones, for seniors, for moms and dads, for teenagers, and for pets! There is a lot to come and check out,” she said.
As mentioned, the Active Living Fair was begun 43 years ago. “It started off very small,” said Ducross. “I’ve been in Lacombe for just over 20 years, and when I first came, there was the skating club and a karate group, and maybe curling. There were maybe about four things.
“Now there are more than 40 booths. And in a good year, we can have up to 60 tables there. It’s really exploded over the past 10 to 15 years.
“It’s a lot of fun to put this on, and it’s fun to attend,” she said, adding that AnnaMarie’s Cafe will be open to provide refreshments, and there will also be some live music with the Lacombe Music Teachers Association being in attendance.
“Also, Coffee with Council will be there. They set up in the corner and they are there to answer any questions that community members might have in terms of upcoming plans and what is going on in the city.
“One of the reasons I love putting this on is that it is such a great connecting point for Lacombe. You watch people walk in, and by the time they do a loop, their kids are super excited, Mom has a smile on her face because she has found something that is going to keep her kids active, and there is just always something for somebody.
“I think that is one of the fun things about it — nobody comes out of there disappointed.
“They will find something that will inspire and motivate them over the winter months, too. So that is probably my favourite thing.
“I also love the idea of being able to provide an opportunity for better exposure for these groups. When you see them all in one place, it brings a sense of pride to those there, especially those who have been in Lacombe for a long time. It really makes you happy with your city to see all of the great opportunities out there.
“There are just so many positives to this!”
