Canada Day at Kinsmen Park

Times Reporter        

 

The time is almost here once again to celebrate our heritage and our country’s birthday. Each year festivities are planned for Canada Day at Kinsmen Park, and this year is no different. 

The fun begins with the annual pancake breakfast by the Strathmore Fire Department from 7 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Following breakfast at 11 a.m. is  the flag raising ceremony and the singing of Oh Canada. Throughout the day there will be bouncy castles set up for the kids to play in, face painting, airbrush tattoos, caricatures, balloon twisters, a magician, birthday cake at noon, a petting zoo and a photo booth. 

The Strathmore Theatre Players will also be putting on performances at the park.

“They are calling them spontaneous plays in the park, so they are not scheduled times, they are just when there’s people around,” said Tracy Simpson, community services coordinator for the town. 

Graydon Pease will be the MC for the day, and five local bands will be on the stage keeping the crowds entertained. 

The bands and musicians are Sykamore at 3 p.m., Undead Drifters at 4 p.m., Dallas Larsen at 5 p.m., Pulse, who are returning for their 22 year at 6 p.m. and Inkahoots will be on stage at 9 p.m. 

Throughout the day, at times that will be announced on July 1, Pranava Yoga studio will be offering free classes in the park. There will be community booths and vendors set up also, and who could forget the infamous dunk tank, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., where you will get a chance to try and dunk Staff Sgt. Kevin Reilly, Mayor Michael Ell, Councillor Pat Fule, Strathmore Times publisher Mario Prusina and many others. 

There’s also a watermelon eating contest at 1 p.m., which is always a great way to cool off on a hot day. Lastly the night will end with fireworks at 11 p.m. 

“The event is completely free except for food and beverages, any activity is free to the public with only one exception which is the dunk tank which is by donation to the Growing Families Society,” said Simpson. 

“It is a great, inexpensive way to spend the day with your kids. We have heard from people who come out from Calgary who say our festival (is) just as good or better than the ones you find there and you get to avoid the big crowds of the city.”