LAC LA BICHE - The 2025 edition of Lac La Biche Pow Wow Days was a "10 out of 10,” according to Amanny Abougouche, vice president of the Pow Wow Days and Fish Derby Association.
“We got some really, really good feedback . . . We haven’t gotten any negative feedback,” Abougouche told Lakeland This Week, about a week after the long list of events wrapped up.
Abougouche said the association had a goal of bringing back as many events as it could from years past.
“It was a very eventful weekend, that’s for sure. It was really nice.”
All of the events that took place as part of Pow Wow Days, which ran from July 31 to Aug. 4, went very well.
This included the community fish fry at McArthur Place, a three-day midway held in a section of the Bold Centre parking lot, a colourful drone show that took place in the skies over McArthur Park, as well as the fish derby, which made its long-awaited return to Beaver Lake on Aug. 2, after a 10-year hiatus.
The fish derby drew about 17 boats who participated in the day-long competition. Although organizers were hoping for a few more competitors, she said the turnout this yera was a good start.
“Hopefully next year, we’ll start seeing more,” Abougouche stated. “We had some great sponsorships, some great prizes. Overall, I think it did great.”
Another attraction on offer during the 2025 Pow Wow Days was the ball tournament that took place at the Bold Centre ball diamonds from Aug. 2-4.
The competition featured both baseball and slo-pitch teams, and was organized by Ali Fyith, a director with the Pow Wow Days and Fish Derby Association.
“Everybody loved it,” she stated.
Those who took in Lac La Biche Pow Wow Days could also enjoy two full days of watching local talent at the music and talent show, which was held in McArthur Park.
Indigenous culture and heritage was also showcased during a special one-day traditional pow-wow that was put on by Lac La Biche County in partnership with Beaver Lake Cree Nation, Heart Lake First Nation, and Whitefish (Goodfish) Lake First Nations.
Due to inclement conditions, the powwow was moved indoors at the Bold Centre.
“That was a hit as well . . . a lot of people came out and enjoyed it,” said Abougouche.
Regarding lessons learned by the Pow Wow Days committee in planning this year’s festivities that will be applied in the years going forward, an important one is securing more volunteers to help out.
This year, organizers paid an honorarium to some of the service clubs that lent a hand during the week-long celebration.
“That was very helpful, and then we just gave back to the community that way,” she said.
Pow Wow Days has been a signature event in the Lac La Biche area since the 1960s, with many residents recalling fond memories of the event as they grew up. The organizing committee is looking for feedback from the community regarding the event as it begins planning for next year.
