Canada Day in Red Deer will be back this year at the traditional celebration site of Bower Ponds, hosting vendors, entertainers and a booming fireworks display.
From 11:30 a.m. until after 11 p.m. on July 1st, citizens are encouraged to head down to Bower Ponds to enjoy various ethnic food vendors, dancers, drummers, singers, comedians and more. All ages welcome, pets not permitted.
“It’s a lot of fun and it’s a great day. Everyone can sit on the grass and listen to some great music or watch the performers,” said Cultural Heritage Society Manager Delores Coghill. “It’s just a really fun and relaxing day.”
She added about 10,000 people come to Bower Ponds throughout the day on Canada Day.
The list of vendors at the ‘International Food Court’ includes dishes from nations such as Germany, France, Denmark, El Salvador, Ukraine, India and more.
Entertainment begins on the main stage at 11:30 a.m. and features various dance groups and styles, musicians including Pascal Lecours et les Mauvais Caraceteres at 6 p.m., The Vintage at 7 p.m., Bill Bourne with Ganges Delta at 8:15 p.m. and Nick Gilder & Sweeney Todd Group at 9:30 p.m. Many local performers will also take the stage throughout the day.
There will also be bouncy castles on hand for the kids. The Native Friendship Centre will have a teepee set up for all to enjoy and a military squadron from Edmonton will also have two communication trucks for families to explore.
Fireworks will also take place just after 11 p.m. and Coghill said she expects the display to be second to none. “It’s going to be spectacular this year. We will have a more extensive show.”
Transit services will remain in effect for Fairview. In addition, busses will depart from the Memorial Centre starting at 10:45 a.m. Prices for the park and ride from the Memorial Centre are $1 for adults and 50 cents for children one way.
A bike corral will also be put in place by the City of Red Deer, as citizens are being encouraged to ride their bikes down to the celebrations this year.
efawcett@reddeerexpress.com
