LAC LA BIC BICHE - The annual Lac La Biche Summer Days events drew thousands of people over the August long weekend.
According to Chenee Miller, Lac La Biche County’s special events coordinator, the three-day celebration, which featured a parade, midway, fish fry, a vehicle show and shine, and several other fun events, went very well.
“Based on the feedback from the surveys and the overall comments received from those in attendance, I would say that this was a very successful Summer Days event,” Miller told Lakeland This Week. “From the organization and number of floats at the parade to the location of the midway, there were many activities for everyone of all ages to enjoy over the three days.”
Attendance-wise, Lac La Biche Summer Days 2024 saw large crowds take in the various events that were on offer. Miller said the parade, which began at the David Thompson statue and ended on 100 Ave., near the Parkland Motel 1, was well attended, and the pancake breakfasts were the busiest they have ever been. Furthermore, the Bold Centre saw almost 8,000 people come through over the course of the weekend.
For the 2023 Lac La Biche Summer Days events, the midway rides and concessions were set up on a privately-owned residential lot along 103 St. in the vicinity of Aurora Middle School and the Lac La Biche Al-Kareem Mosque. However, for this year, it was decided to have the midway located in the parking lot of the Bold Centre next to the site of the ongoing construction of the new $44.9 million aquatic centre.
As to the reason why the midway was situated here, Miller says organizers felt it made sense to have all the events in one central location so families would be able to attend everything all at once. She added that over the entire weekend, there were plenty of parking spots available for those attending the midway or events taking place inside the Bold Centre.
“The Bold Centre was built for events like this,” she said. “The feedback from attendees also felt that this was the perfect location as it was clean and easily accessible.”
This year, Lac La Biche County assisted with organizing the Summer Days festivities. Miller explained that there was a lot of work that went into planning this entire weekend of events for community members that included contacting contractors, coordinating volunteers, and securing event permits. There were roughly 100 volunteers that made the weekend festivities possible.
The County also worked alongside various community organizations who were responsible for putting on many of the events. These groups included the Lac La Biche Heritage Society, KidSport, the Kinsmen Club, Ethos Mechanical Inc., the Ladies Muslim Association, the local curling club, Rotary Club, Royal Canadian Legion Branch McGrane Branch #28, Nehiyawaskiy Indigenous Peoples Art Co-op, the Lac La Biche Agricultural Society, and the Lac La Biche and District Chamber of Commerce.
“We are looking forward to working with these amazing community groups next year, as well as getting other groups involved to continue to grow and make this weekend a memorable and unique experience in Lac La Biche County,” Miller stated.
Lac La Biche Summer Days, Miller continued, is a very important weekend for the community. She stated that although the event has moved away from some of the history and traditions that come with it, Lac La Biche County will work hard to bring those elements back for everyone past, present, and future to enjoy for many years to come.
