Remembrance Day ceremony starts at 9:30 a.m. in the Esplanade main theatre

Medicine Hat’s Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 17 is hosting two ceremonies and a march for Remembrance Day on Saturday.

The event begins with doors opening at 8:30 a.m. at the Esplanade and the ceremony inside the main theatre beginning at 9:30 a.m.

The parade procession begins outside the Esplanade at 10:25 a.m., with participants marching to the Cenotaph at Veterans Memorial Park.

The park ceremony starts at 11 a.m. with a moment of silence observed at 11:11 a.m.

“(Participants) can expect a wonderful program,” said Sheila Donner, the Legion’s poppy project chair and past president.

The morning ceremony at the Esplanade is hosted by former city councillor Bill Cocks.

It begins with a processional of the flags and then a call to worship led by Cpt. Ron MacDonald.

Hymns, poems and psalms will be recited before the ceremony concludes with a rendition of “God Save the Queen” and recession of colours.

“We have some students involved, which is really exciting,” said Donner, adding they started involving them a few years ago.

The Cenotaph ceremony features a hymn before two minutes of silence, a lament and prayers, as well as both an official and public placement of wreaths.

“The one at the Esplanade, the main difference I would say, is that it’s sort of like a church service,” said Donner.

The Cenotaph ceremony tends to be briefer, as it occurs outdoors.

Mayor Ted Clugston, local MLAs Robert Wanner and Drew Barnes, as well as a representative of the federal government, will be some of the dignitaries present.

There will be road closures on First Street — from Fourth Avenue SE to North Railway, including Finlay Bridge — from 8:30 a.m. until noon when the event ends.