Kin Coulee will be hopping for Canada Day
Hundreds of volunteers are preparing to welcome thousands of Hatters to Kin Coulee for special celebrations of Canada’s 150th birthday on Saturday.
The annual July 1 event has always drawn a big crowd, but for sesquicentennial celebrations, organizers say the more the merrier.
“We’ve always had pretty good turnout ... For the Sandfly Festival we can get 10,000 on that toboggan hill, but for the day I’m expecting a bigger crowd,” said Al Geib, Canada Day Society chair.
He estimates that considering the occasion, and if weather co-operates, the day could see a 20 per cent higher turnout than an average year.
The forecast for the day in Medicine Hat is sun and a high of 30 C — just about perfect, if it holds true, said Geib
“And it’s on a Saturday, which will bring more people out. We’ll have to see, and we had more (people) last year and the year before.”
Organizers and volunteers began preparing the park Thursday afternoon and today should be getting into full swing to get ready for the event for Saturday.
For its 27th year, the day will feature a number of long-standing favourite features as well as some new look events, said Geib.
A medieval-themed play area for children, a stepped up array of musical attractions and a live wood-carving will take place throughout the day.
The event begins at 7:30 a.m. with the traditional Lions Club pancake breakfast, followed by a 9 a.m. church service, then children’s activities from 10 a.m until after supper time.
Noon-hour birthday cake will be followed by the day’s opening ceremonies and dignitaries’ comments.
Hayrides and the South Alberta Pipe and Drums corps will tour the area throughout the day.
A total of 22 groups and organizations will man booths and provide demonstrations highlighting their work for the community and activities.
A hobby and craft market, food court operated by service clubs and non-profit groups will also be available.
Multicultural exhibition and family entertainment will be presented at the Bandshell in the afternoon. ZedFest music stage, aimed at youth audiences, will welcome artists throughout the afternoon, leading into the evening’s Sandfly Festival.
The music line-up is headlined by country artist Jojo Mason, who will play lead in the evening’s fireworks display at about 11:15 p.m.
The society receives base funding each from the City of Medicine Hat, the Government of Canada and Alberta foundation for the Arts to stage the event, which is also supported by 18 major corporate donors in the city. About 200 volunteers are required to stage the event.
New bus drop-off plan
The event this year will also involve some changes the busing drop-off system that is encouraged to help avoid congestion in the area.
Southlands Transportation will provide a ride to and from the grounds on its school buses from several locations around the city where parking is available.
Pickup spots include Crescent Heights High School, the Co-op and Southview malls near 13th Avenue, the Medicine Hat Stampede Grounds, and Second Street downtown (at the rear of the Esplanade).
Rotating departures should see buses leave and return to each location about every half hour beginning at 11 a.m.
The final buses will leave Kin Coulee at about midnight, following the fireworks.