COCHRANE— Celebrating Canada's birthday with a bang, virtually modified festivities are in the works for Cochrane.
This year’s Canada Day celebrations on July 1 will be a unique set of activities due to COVID-19 public health measures, said the president of the Cochrane and Area Event Society Bella Fallis.
“It’s a challenge how do you have a party and not invite anybody,” Fallis said. “Even though we’re not able to gather at Mitford Park for a huge celebration we’re bringing the elements of the party to all of the various communities in Cochrane.”
Celebrating Canada’s 153rd birthday serves as a way to give back to the community while helping bring people together, Fallis said.
This year’s festivities will incorporate the ideas of good spirit, kindness and creativity— actions that have been seen in the Cochrane community since the arrival of the virus.
An especially exciting development in the Canada Day festivities has been the green light to host a fireworks show, Fallis exclaimed. At first, it was unclear if they would be able to light up the skies for Canada Day, but as the Alberta Economic Relaunch has gained momentum the group eventually gained permission.
They have narrowed down the location for the fireworks display to two locations she said, and the show will go on as long as weather permits and there is no fire ban.
Cochranites will be able to watch the fireworks from their cars and must maintain social distancing during the event.
More details on the fireworks show will be released closer to Canada Day.
It was important to have a Canada Day celebration, Fallis said because it offers the community a sense of hope in what has been a difficult year.
“We’ve been cooped up for months and you know it hasn’t been easy on people— A lot of people have lost their jobs, lost their business, kids aren’t going to school,” Fallis said. “It’s been a rough ride for a lot of people.”
The Cochrane and Area Event Society will have virtual events running from noon to 5:30 p.m. that include contests, special guests and more than $1,000 in Cochrane Dollars to be won.
Cochranites should keep an eye out for Jeepers parades, Wish I May princesses and other visitors in their communities as well as food trucks during the afternoon, she said. Fallis added that members of the local camera club will be roaming the streets of Cochrane on July 1 to capture special Canada Day moments.
Local musicians and entertainers will not be able to perform on the Mitford Park stage but will be live on the Cochrane and Area Event Society Facebook page all day. Featured local artists will include Nova Scotiables, Lexi Strate, Backroad Traveler Band, Michela Sheedy, Sydney Green & Devyn Byfield, Lucas Chaisson, No Refund! Serenity Large, KT Calcutt and Richard the Magician.
Cochrane and Area Event Society has already begun running contests in the lead up to Canada Day to help encourage the community to participate in the festivities. Contests include Best Dressed Family, Compose for Canada, and a live Trivia Contest. Keep an eye on the Cochrane Eagle as it will be printing the colouring contest pages the week of June 21.
“Everybody’s hungry, I think, for finding any reason to just get out of the house and celebrate,” Fallis said.
To volunteer to help with the festivities visit the Cochrane And Area Events Society Facebook page.
