Most larger community celebrations for Canada Day were cancelled this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but that didn't stop smaller groups from making their own little events to show their patriotic pride.
Lac La Biche's Karen Mauro, her grandchildren, friends and some young neighbours took their Canada flags, red and white shirts and hats and walked around their south Lac La Biche neighbourhood for their own parade. Their pets event got into the spirit of the July 1 celebration.
"We had lots of fun walking. There was horn-honking and smiles throughout the walk," Mauro told the POST.
In other areas of the community, some lakeside subdivisions organized boat-parades, floating along the lakeshore with horns blaring and flags waving. Campsites across the region also saw local firework displays for smaller crowds gathered to watch the skies.
Canada Day 'Putt' on hold
The annual Hole-In-One Canada Day golf tournament at the Lac La Biche Golf Club was also sidelined this year. The annual July 1 event serves as one of club's fundraising events, and normally draws a full roster of more than 140 golfers.
All other scheduled tournaments — with the exception of the members-only club championships at the end of August — are postponed for the season.
"As of now, our club is going to remain status quo and refrain from hosting events at this time," noted club pro Lance Palamaruk in a recent update on the course.
Lac La Biche County officials had cancelled the annual Canada Day fireworks show normally held at the lakeside McArthur Day park. While Alberta Health officials increased the number of people allowed to gather at outdoor events in the province from 100 to 200 in the days leading up to Canada Day, the county's show normally draws more than 1,000 people.