“Recognition such as this means that over the past years we have done the right things; improving as each year passes and maintaining our aim of providing a low-cost family day in the park for all age groups and backgrounds,” says Fred Paddock, Chair of the Canada Day Society. “The award really is the result of selfless labour from volunteers; whether involved in fundraising activities, committee or administrative tasks, or the long hard labour of the Canada Day event itself. This award is something that all of us involved in celebrating Canada Day here in Medicine Hat can feel pride towards.”

Canada Day Celebration 2011

The Medicine Hat and District Canada Day Society is incorporated under the Society Act of the Province of Alberta.  The Society is a volunteer committee of citizens from Medicine Hat and District to organize and conduct the Canada Day Celebration.  Canada Day 2011 was held at Kin Coulee Park and witnessed the largest participation of young families.

In order to avoid traffic congestion in the Kin Coulee area, Free Shuttle Bus was provided from 7:00 am until the last participant was accommodated after Fireworks display. Route #1: From Medicine Hat Lodge – Casino By Vanshaw, Southview Mall, 13^th Ave Co-op, Medicine Hat College.  Route # 2:  From Crescent Heights High School, Arena, Downtown Transit Terminal and Division Ave Safeway.  Shuttle bus service started at 7:00 am running 30 minutes intervals with the last trip at midnight after the fireworks.  Golf carts and a People Mover (provided by Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede powered by tractor provided by Pinnacle International) transported people from each end of the park as this was a long walk for seniors, the handicapped and small children.  Two Kubota units from Pinnacle International and Two from Western Tractor were used to get pop, water and supplies to various locations around the park.

General Services of First Aid was provided by St. John Ambulance and of Lost Child or Parent was provided by South Eastern Alberta Search and Rescue. 

The Celebration began with a Free Pancake Breakfast at 7:30 am provided by Medicine Hat Lions Club. Musical entertainment was provided by The Medicine Hat and District Live Music Club.  Over 1,400 people attended the free breakfast and enjoyed the musical accompaniment. 

The Ecumenical Service followed the breakfast at 9:00 am. Worship in Song led by Pastor Dwight Seib, First Assembly.  Welcome: Pastor Mac de Waal, Unity Lutheran—MC
A Prayer for Canada—Lutheran, Greetings and welcome from Gary Mason, President of the Medicine Hat and District Ministerial Association.

A Prayer for Canada in Liberian, Children's Ministry: Andrew Plait, Hillcrest Church. 
GX Canada dance: Aaron & Kendra Melanson.  A Prayer for Canada: The Rev Canon Gene Packwood, St Barnabas Anglican.  Scripture & Message: Pastor George Koopmans, Christian Reformed Church.   A Prayer for Canada in Danish—Lila de Waal, Unity Lutheran  and Summertime Blessings, The Rev Canon Gene Packwood

The Entertainment at the Bandshell was appreciated by a large crowd.  This year seating capacity was increased to 800 and all the seats were occupied for the duration of the entertainment.

The Bandshell line-up schedule was very packed and went until after 6:00pm. The Audience seating remained very well filled through out the afternoon.

The performers were as follows:

Daydream Johnny: Daydream Johnny is an unsigned four piece garage rock band from Medicine Hat. The band, consisting of Sam Leuck, Chris Kessler, Brett Nelson and Connor Robinson, incorporate a wide range of genres into their rowdy live show. Daydream Johnny will also be playing D’Barrs on July 5^th to kick off their Western Canadian tour.

Bollywood: Indian Semi-Classical Dance performance by Anoushka Gaekwad. She is 10 years old and goes to Connaught School. Khatak is classical dance of North India, which dates back to 1250 B.C. The word originates form the Sanskrit Katha, meaning “to tell a story.” Khatak has been uniquely enriched throughout its history by a Persian influence as well as by the patronage of the Mughal kings. It is characterized by fast spinning movements, lightning quick pirouettes and elegant sudden poses.

Northern Bluegrass Revival: Northern Bluegrass Revival is a local band based in Medicine Hat, Alberta. The band plays bluegrass Music as well as other genres of music with a bluegrass twist.  The group consists of 5 members who play a variety of instruments including guitar, keyboards, bass, mandolin, violin, banjo, accordion and harmonica. 

Buffalo Woman Enterprises Will feature Jamie Medicine Craine and Curt Young performing Traditional Aboriginal Artistic Dance and Dramatic Pieces and will be joined by local powwow dancers.  These dancers will give the audience a traditional and contemporary look at Native Culture!  They will add a distinctly First Nations flavour to Canada Day 20011!

Featuring the following dancers at the big painted tipi throughout the day: Men’s Traditional, Women’s Traditional, Men’s Grass Dance, Women’s Jungle Dress, Men's Chicken dance, Women’s Fancy Shawl Dance, several children dancers of all types!                          

Anna Wa Ockti: The Anna Wa Octki Dance studio offers instructions in distinctive styles of belly dancers Cabaret and American Tribal to students of all ages and experience levels. Anna Wa Octki, meaning My Sisters and I, focuses on the traditional aspect of the art form.  Belly dance is created by women, for women, designed to accentuate the natural curves of the female body. The dancers immerse themselves in the middle-eastern music and movement of swaying hips and undulating torsos.

Island Breeze South Pacific Dancers: Island Breeze Alberta and Island Breeze Canada will take you on an exciting journey to the Islands of Polynesian in the South Pacific, through dances and songs. Island Breeze South Pacific dancers and musicians from the South Pacific join with the city of Medicine Hat to celebrate Canada Day Polynesian Island style. Happy Canada Day and God bless Canada, from the men and women of Island Breeze Canada and Island Breeze Alberta!

Brock Quast: Brock and Sherry Quast are from Medicine Hat Alberta. They sing both old classic country music and the newer country music.  If you truly are loyal fans of country music you’ll be sure to enjoy the pure sounds of Brock and Sherry’s music. Let’s keep it Country!

Thank you to Corinne Bolt from 102.1 CJCY, who did an excellent job of emceeing.  Her professionalism and preparation did not go unnoticed.

This year our Opening Ceremonies celebrated Canada’s 144^th   Birthday.  Local Dignitaries were lead on the stage by Piper Matt Action followed by a Colour Party of members of Medicine Hat Police Services S/Sgt Do Girling, Cst. Brent Bohrn, and Sgt. Paul Taylor.

Local dignitaries included Member of Parliament LaVar Payne; Members of Legislative Assembly Honourable Rob Renner, Minister of Environment; and Len Mitzel; Mayor Norman Boucher of the City of Medicine Hat, and Chair of the Medicine Hat and District Canada Day Society Pat Flinn and Larry Godin, Master of Ceremonies.

The singing of the National Anthem was done by Edmund Camphor, the audience was invited to sing along and they were pleased to be invited to participate.

All dignitaries spoke on what it means for them to be Canadian and how truly fortunate we are to live in a country such as Canada.  Larry Godin was Master of Ceremonies and did a great job.

The Annual Canada Day Birthday Cake Best Decorated and Best Taste Contest took place near the Bandshell.  Participants included Canada Safeway (Medicine Hat Mall), Cornerstone Garden Market Sobeys and Medicine Hat Co-op and Northland Co-op.  In the  new category of “Creative Independent” we had one contestant.  We hope that in the years to come, word will have circulated and more home-based businesses will want to participate.  It is our requirement that all home-based businesses are licensed and properly equipped to bake in their homes.

The entries were judged by Sharon Turnbridge, Gerry Getz and Paul Vince.  After the cakes were judged, pieces of cake were served by members of the Rotary Club of Medicine Hat to an estimated 3,000 people.

The results of the 2011 Birthday Cake Competition were:

·        Best Decorated tie:                        -Safeway in the Mall

·        Best Tasting:                                  - Co-op 13^th Ave

·        Honourable Mention Tasting:          -Co-op Northlands and Sobeys

·        Honourable Mention Decorating     -Safeway

·        Independent Creative:                     -Cake Break

Public participation from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm was achieved through: 

 1.  Children’s activities are opportunity to entertain, educate and stimulate the curiosity of Children towards positive attitude and self-confidence. Children’s activities participants included Eagles Nest Ranch Fun Zone, Giant Basketball, Pitch Burst Reverse Dunk Tank, Jump World, Water Tag Maze, Giant Slide, Giant Climb and Slide Jumper, and Shiners Clown.  Our special thanks to the Volunteers from Eagles Nest RanCH, for their dedication to make this activity a great success.

2.      Displays and Demonstrations is an area that gives local non profit / non commercial organizations an opportunity to promote awareness through brochure, literature, display and demonstration etc. making new contacts.  Space is given throughout the centre of the park for the organizations to set up their display and / or demonstrations. The Display and Demonstration participants included: Alberta Health Services, Buffalo Woman Enterprises, Canadian Red Cross, City of Medicine Hat Fire Service, Darfur Cultural Association of Medicine Hat, Historic clay District, Medicine Hat and District Genealogical Society, Medicine Hat Astronomy Club, Medicine Hat Auto Racing Association, Medicine Hat Auto Racing Association, Medicine Hat Community Preschool, Medicine Hat Interpretive Program, Medicine Hat Police Service, Praxis- The Science and Technology Hotline, Redi Green Team, Royal Canadian Sea Cadets, Saamis Immigration Service Association, South East Alberta Watershed (SEAWA), S O S Senior K-9 Rescue Society, South Alberta Light Horse, The Medicine Hat Tai Chi &Qi-Goug Association.

 3.   Food Alley - This is an area set aside in the park where people can sample different tastes from around the world from the different cultures that reside in and represent Canada.  All participants of the Food Alley are “not for profit organizations”. 

The participants in the Food Alley were Children’s Hospital Day Treatment Ward, Community View Lions Club, Crescent Heights High School Viking Varsity Volleyball & Basket Ball, Crestwood School, Glenview Nazarene Work and Witness, Higher Ground Christian School, Medicine Hat and District Canada Day Society, The Connection and Unisphere Global Resource Centre.   All proceeds went towards Fundraising opportunity for these different non-profit organizations.

4.   Hay Ride – Two John Deer Tractors, provided by Western Tractor, pulled hay wagons around the park from 9:00 am until 6:00 pm.  This is a very popular event with line-ups to get on all throughout the day.

5.   Hobby Craft - This is an opportunity for individuals (or organization) Artists, Hobby Crafters to exhibit and / or sell their locally made handicraft at the Canada day Celebrations. The participants were Arthur Watt, Artistic Airbrushing, Foot Candy, Friendz Airbrushing & Tattoo’s, Glitteroo’s-Glitter Tattoo’s, Henna Artistry, Material Girlz, Nice Stuff, Outlaw Heart Creations, Over The Moon, Pampered Pet Treats, PC Jewel & Gift, Sonja’s Glitter Tats, SOS Senior K9 Pet Rescue, Trendy Time Tots and Venus Promotions.

6.   Zed Fest - Youth Actives focuses the youth (at a stage of transition from child to adult) to channel their energy to the activities they appreciate and enjoy.  The Bands were Helltrack, George Landis Band, Jay Bowcott, The Purple Grotto and the highlight was the performance of the band Ten Second Epic. 

The Annual Sandfly Festival this year’s event featured three spectacular bands consisting of all different genres of music.  The first performance was by Mustang a Band from Medicine Hat played from 5:30 to 7:30 pm.  The second band also from Lethbridge played from 7:30 to 9:30 pm. Headliner “Prism” performed from 9:30 pm until the fantastic fireworks display started.  Estimated audience was 15,000 people.

The All Nations Optimist Clubs Supper consisted of Perogies & Sausages with chips, pop and/or Coffee.  This year supper was served from 5:00 to 11:00 pm which was much appreciated by Sandfly Festival audience. 

The day’s finale was represented in the sky through fireworks.  Fireworks are the “talk of the Town” the best show seen in Medicine Hat and difficult to surpass in years to come! A spectacular show glimmered in the sky for all of Medicine Hat and District to enjoy if not the best Fireworks ever seen in Medicine Hat.

We had over 12,000 people attended this year’s birthday celebrations in Kin Coulee Park during the daytime and another 15,000 attending the Sandfly Festival.  An estimated 40,000 people enjoyed the fireworks.  Nothing but positive feedback and huge smiles were given throughout the day and afterwards.  This wonderful day could not have occurred without the strong commitment of the committee members, hard work by volunteers, as well as the support of financial contributors and sponsors.

Flag Etiquette in Canada

            The National Flag of Canada when flown takes precedence over all other national flags. When flown with the flags of other sovereign nations, all flags should be flown on separate staffs and at the same heights, all being the same size, the National Flag of Canada should be on the left of the observer facing the flags.