LAC LA BICHE - There won’t be a dull moment at this year’s Canada Day festivities, with fireworks, a golf fundraiser, as well as activities to pay tribute to the region’s rich Francophone, Metis, and Indigenous culture on the calendar of events.
Canada Day celebrations in Lac La Biche County will go off, or rather, wrap-up, with a bang as the traditional fireworks show takes place under the stars at McArthur Park at 11 pm. on July 1. But before the grand finale, people will have plenty to keep them occupied during the day.
“The events begin with a Hole-In-One Fundraiser at 10 a.m. at the Lac La Biche Golf Club,” explained Jihad Moghrabi, marketing and communications manager for Lac La Biche County.
Playing a few (or several rounds) of golf can sure cause one to work up an appetite. Luckily, Beaver Hill Shell, as part of its annual customer appreciation day, will be serving up tasty, barbecued hamburgers and hot dogs free of charge from 12 – 2 p.m. And, just to sweeten the celebrations even more, those who show have the chance to snag some great prizes.
“Last year, we served over 600 hamburgers and hot dogs,” explained store owner Mo Kabalan. “As with previous years, there will be customer giveaways, including mountain bikes, a BBQ and a pressure washer.”
Mission events
Those who head on over to the Lac La Biche Mission will quickly find themselves immersed in the history and culture of the area. Following a pancake breakfast at 8:30 a.m., everyone is invited to attend a service in the mission’s 100-year-old church.
And while there will be plenty of amusements lasting well into the evening including guided tours, magic shows, a balloon artist, and prize draws, one of the most significant moments of the entire celebrations will be the singing of our national anthem not only in both official languages, but also in Cree.
“The history of this area includes the richness of the First Nations, Francophone and Metis people and its cultures, along with a multitude of other cultures who have also come to settle here over the last several decades,” stated Danielle Gauthier-Laird, the operations supervisor at the provincial and national historic site. ‘’On our Canada Day Mission celebration, the intention is to come together to honour those who were here before us, and to celebrate all people, cultures and nationalities all of which have contributed to the diverse and rich tapestry of this beautiful region and country.”
The musical talents of these peoples will be on display during an afternoon of entertainment with performances from such homegrown artists as Indigenous dancer Randi-Lynn Candline, Franco-Albertan singer/performer Roger Dallaire, the Plamondon Square Dancers, as well as contemporary dancers from the Northern Beat Dance Academy.
Residential school recognition
The Mission's own history includes a time when it was the site of one of Canada's Indian Residential Schools. That dark history will also be remembered during the day's cultural recognition.
“There will absolutely be remembrance for the lives lost of those who attended school in the 1800s,” Gauthier-Laird confirmed. “We are also currently putting together a monument that if all goes well will be completed later this year to honour survivors and remember and mourn the children that were lost to their families and communities. Our hope is that the students of yesterday can come play with the children of today.”
