Battlefords residents will have several chances to celebrate Canada's birthday this upcoming Sunday, as activities have been planned all day for celebrants of any age.
While the official celebrations and fireworks will happen in North Battleford, Fort Battleford has organized a full slate of activities.
On Canada Day itself, the Fort will host activities from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The whole day will be filled with costumed interpreters, and visitors will be able to tour the facility at their leisure. Children will be able to go on wagon rides, play old-fashioned games, get their face painted or get a balloon animal twisted into shape. For the adults, the event will feature a handicraft sale that goes on all day.
All visitors can experience historic weapons demonstrations and take part in a Victorian tea and fashion show. The tea and fashion show will begin at 3 p.m. and admission is $3 per person. There will also be musical entertainment through the day from a variety of local musicians. The event will also feature a barbecue so families will not need to bring their own food.
Around the same time, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Battlefords Provincial Park will host events for children. At noon, cake will be served a event, but otherwise the park will feature sand sculpture contests, rock painting and scavenger hunts.
The City of North Battleford has organized its own celebrations at the Don Ross Centre beginning at 8 p.m. Pappa Bluez and Friends will provide entertainment, and the event will feature a large number of activities for children including face painting, tattoos, flags, mascots and a balloon man.
The Chapel Gallery, connected to the Don Ross Centre, will also be open from 7 to 10 p.m., so participants will have a chance to enjoy its two exhibitions. Dimensions 2011 presents the work of 33 emerging craft artists, and Entangled "is a collection of sculptures, objects and drawings that employ the notions of recreating the natural with the technological."
Prior to the fireworks display, MLA Herb Cox will be presenting two Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medals between 8 and 8:30 p.m.
Participants are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or something else to sit on as the City's fireworks display will begin at approximately 10:45 p.m. Parking is available in the RBC tower parking lot. All events will have free admission. More information on the City of North Battleford Canada Day Celebrations is available at their website at www.cityofnb.ca.
