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Youth Unlimited prepares for busy summer

Lacombe Marathon and Street Festival two of many featured events

School’s out and summer is here. Central Alberta Youth Unlimited is hosting numerous events throughout the summer months including a street festival and the Lacombe Half Marathon.

The Youth Unlimited Street Festival is set for July 23rd, as part of the first day of Lacombe Days, at the Yu-Turn Centre and along 50th St. from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

“It truly is a street party,” said Youth Unlimited Director of Staff and Volunteer Care Char Lockhart.

The street festival will feature lots of entertainment and games including Flying Bob, a tightrope walker, a mechanical bull, a road hockey tournament, bouncy castle and a movie.

“There will be a barbecue, live bands, face painting and balloon animals,” said Lockhart. “It’s a very family-friendly event. It gives people the opportunity to come in and check out the centre. It’s suitable for people of any age.”

The Lacombe Half Marathon is also returning this year, but with a new date and route. “We’ve moved it to Saturday (July 25th) so that we can actually be a part of the parade,” said Lockhart. “Our runners will be kicking off the Lacombe Days parade this year.”

The Lacombe Half Marathon is a fundraiser for Youth Unlimited, which helps contribute funds to keep the doors of the facility open.

Although it’s a half marathon (21 kms) other distances are offered including a 10 km, 5 km and 3 km race.

“There’s something for pretty much any skill level,” said Lockhart.

The Lacombe Half Marathon begins at 9:30 a.m. with the start and end at the green space between the bus barns and regional library along 56th Ave. The 21 km route features a large portion of the Trans Canada Trail system.

A barbecue will also be held after the run concludes at the finish line.

Lockhart noted that the group could use volunteers to help ensure the marathon runs smoothly. “We need volunteers who are willing to marshall, which is basically directing our runners and cheering them on,” she said.

The Lacombe Marathon has been drawing around 200 runners each year for almost a decade. Last year, 256 runners participated and the group hopes for a large turnout this year.

Registration for the Lacombe Half Marathon is still open. For more information visit, www.runlacombe.com.

Also returning to Youth Unlimited for the summer is the drop-in program.

Drop-in activities from kids Grade 3 and up run from Tuesday to Thursday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. “We do offer quite a variety of activities,” said Lockhart. “Most of the time we are on site, but throughout the summer we have special events.”

Activities vary from ball hockey to special programming for girls. Cost is $2 for drop-in with passes available.

To keep the drop-in running throughout the summer, more adult volunteers are being sought. “We could use more volunteers for sure,” said Lockhart. “We are looking for volunteers who have a heart to serve young people and are committed to building healthy relationships with them.”

The amount of time volunteers spend at the drop-in program is flexible, to suit work and other scheduling needs.

“We have some volunteers who are here every Tuesday,” said Lockhart. “We have other volunteers that are here every two or three weeks. It’s really a wide range.”

Lockhart also added that a volunteer who is mechanically inclined, may also be of use to the organization to make minor improvements and for general maintenance.

For more information about any of the Youth Unlimited programs visit, www.cayu.ca or call 403-789-2298.

news@lacombeexpress.com