Celebrating Canada
Kin Coulee transformed for annual festivities
Roughly 10,000 Hatters made their way through Kin Coulee Park Sunday to help Canada celebrate its 151st birthday.
Just like every other July 1, the park was transformed into a place where people of all ages could have a good time, eat some food and enjoy some sun.
“Everything came together this year in time,” said Medicine Hat Canada Day Society president Al Geib. “It’s great for the people of Medicine Hat to have something big to look forward to each year on Canada Day.
“It’s great for people locally, and across the country to have a day off from whatever they’re doing to enjoy the freedoms that we have.”
The day kicked off with the annual pancake breakfast, which is hosted by the Lions Club of Medicine Hat each year, and featured a lot of things people have grown to love, says Geib.
“There’s some new acts on the music side of things and there’s new stuff for the kids to do,” he said. “We try and offer the things we know people will like and over the years we’ve stuck to the things we know will work.
“The kids are a big part of our celebration, so we always offer things for kids to do when they come with their families.”
There was a number of birthday cakes donated by various businesses around the city, and a lineup of well over 100 people waiting to get their hands on a piece.
Geib says the volunteer-based group holds Canada’s birthday with high regard.
“We’re doing this because we think it’s the right thing to do,” said Geib. “A lot of work goes into this every year, a lot of planning and a lot of organizing — we’re always looking for more help, too.
“Canada is such a diverse country, and we should always celebrate where we live.”