Since 2010 the Cochrane and Area Events Society (CAES) has spearheaded 39 events in our community.
Their next event, Canada Day 2020, will signify a milestone for the volunteer-led group. The July 1 celebration will be their 40th organized event.
“Our flexibility and willingness to fill gaps in our community shows our commitment to move forward on new ideas to keep events fresh and our community vibrant” said society chairperson Marina Chabbert.
Chabbert has held her position for eight years. She handles general event management and planning, grant applications and communications for the group. For the past three years Lucille Johnsrude has used her financial background to act as a treasurer for the group and Erika Richards has been secretary, communications and proofreader with the group for the last two years.
The group has seven more at large members that do everything from sponsorship contact, advertising, volunteer point of contact, social media and website management. Local visionary and long-time volunteer and CAES co-founder Ronnie Knowles passed away suddenly on Dec. 28, 2019.
“He instilled passion and was a great supporter for Cochrane and for businesses. We owe much of what we have accomplished to him and his vision,” Chabbert said of Knowles’s contributions to the group and community.
Since inception, the group has organized nine Labour Day Parades, eight Stuff-a-Bus events, seven Winterfest events, five Canada Day celebrations, four Summerfests (with rodeo), two Taste of Cochrane events, two motorcycle rallies, one Aaron Lines concert and one New Year’s Eve celebration.
“Some of the events we organize have a long running history in our town and are anxiously anticipated year after year,” she said.
“The Labour Day Parade for instance will be in its 52nd planning year in 2020. Some of our newer events include Canada Day and our inaugural New Year’s Eve Family Celebration.”
Chabbert said the committee members are motivated to make a difference in Cochrane and planning an event can take months. Volunteers are not limited to the committee and often involve community members. For example, Canada Day requires about 85 volunteers including parking lot attendants, children’s activities, recycling and more. In one year the group round up more than 170 volunteers.
“Many of our volunteers help us with more than one event, we are so grateful to all for the help provided during our events.
The group’s AGM is planned for Thursday, Mar. 12 at the Half Hitch Brewing Company at 7 p.m. The meeting is an opportunity for residents to come and learn about CAES’s events and plans for the coming year.
“We are always looking for additional people to give us a hand in our planning. We are a fun energetic group and we need representation from many different sectors.”
