BONNYVILLE – On March 18, a belated birthday party will be held for the Town of Bonnyville. The community officially turned 75 years old on Feb. 16.
To celebrate the town’s milestone, the municipality’s event committee has planned a big birthday bash, and everyone is invited.
“It is important for us to recognize the significance of our history as a Town, which begins with the day we were officially designated a municipality,” said Town of Bonnyville Mayor Elisa Brosseau.
The Town of Bonnyville was officially designated as a municipality on Feb. 16, 1948.
“As we reflect through our history, we learn about all of the pioneers who established their livelihoods here to form our culture and existence to what we are now. So, this year we celebrate 75 years of our small town in the making with all of the residents today to share in this joyous occasion.”
The celebration to mark the milestone is scheduled to start at 3 p.m. at Pontiac Park on March 18. The community event will include a hot dog roast, s’mores, tobogganing, snow painting activities, bubbles, sleigh rides and fireworks.
There will also be three-on-three hockey matches held at the outdoor rink at the Bonnyville and District Centennial Centre (C2).
Initial planning had hoped the ice on Jessie Lake would be suitable for skating, however, recent fluctuations in temperature have led to the decision to keep residents off the lake.
“Our Public Works Department has been checking the ice and they don’t believe it’s in the best shape for skating,” explained the Town’s communication coordinator Robynne Henry.
“We were hoping to have the three-on-three hockey tournament close to Pontiac Park, but with the recent warm up we had eliminated that option.”
Overall, the outdoor event will take place “weather permitting.” And event organizers are hoping the March celebration won’t be too warm or too cold.
“We decided we could do more things outside, that led us to plan tobogganing, sleigh rides and the weenie roast,” said Doreen Kushiner, one of the members of the event planning committee.
“We are really hoping it stays kind of wintry, but you never know at that time of year.”
Regardless of the temperature, one thing is sure to draw a crowd – fireworks lighting up the sky at 8 p.m.
