| The Outstanding Alberta Celebrate Canada Award was presented to the
Medicine Hat and District Canada Day Society at the Dec. 4, 2006 City
Council meeting.
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, 13th
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 5th 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 144th
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 13th 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. |