The time has come again to celebrate the true north strong and free, with Canada Day celebrations being hosted across the South Peace on July 1.
The Wembley Fire Department will kick off the festivities with its annual Canada Day Celebration beginning at 10 a.m. at the Wembley Fire Hall.
A pancake and sausage breakfast will be prepared by the fire department, and all kinds of family fun will be hosted during the event, including a bouncy castle, games and activities.
Wembley Fire Department members will also be hosting tours of their equipment and will be on-site to answer any questions guests may have about the department.
The annual Valhalla Centre parade will take place at noon, with parade participants asked to meet at the Mercantile Cafe parking lot at 11:15 a.m.
A hot dog barbecue and refreshments will be available at the Valhalla Community School following the parade.
In Grande Prairie, the local Canada Day parade is slated to start at 2 p.m. at Hillside Community School, travelling down 96 St and 100 Ave, ending the Northwestern Polytechnic (NWP) parking lot.
Following the parade, Muskoseepi Park activities will take place from 3:30 p.m. to midnight, featuring carnival rides and games as well as face painting, roaming entertainment and food trucks, with the annual fireworks show to close out the night at 11:30 p.m.
Free drop-in swimming will be available at the Aquatera Outdoor Pool from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
This year, the city is proud to feature Alberta-born, double-platinum selling country star Aaron Goodvin headlining the celebrations.
“We’re excited to welcome Aaron Goodvin back to the Peace Country for another performance that’s sure to be unforgettable,” said City of Grande Prairie Mayor Jackie Clayton.
“Hosting a talent of this calibre, who also has deep local roots, makes this year’s Canada Day a powerful celebration of both national pride and community connection.”
Live music will play at the Muskoseepi Park amphitheatre beginning at 3:30 p.m., featuring artists including TJ Ruckus, Hey Driver, Brad Slims, and Aaron Goodvin.
And of course, it wouldn’t be Canada Day weekend without the perennial favourite: the Rio Grande Rodeo. Celebrating 109 years this year, it kicks off June 29 with the Little Britches Rodeo with the main event commencing June 30. All the classics are here: Bareback, saddle bronc, calf, team and breakaway roping, ladies barrels, junior steer reading and of course …. bull riding. The chucks go every night June 28-June 28 at 6:30 p.m.
Happy Canada Day!