Foothills towns celebrate Canada Day with full-day festivities
Okotoks, Blackie, High River, and other nearby communities host July 1 celebrations with parades, fireworks, and family activities.
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Canada Day celebrations are planned throughout the Foothills to mark the country's 159th birthday on July 1.
Okotoks will host a celebration at the Okotoks Recreation Centre from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring entertainment, BBQ, a mobile obstacle course, and games. Performers on the main stage include Odyssey Theatre Group, Calgary Youth Singers, Big Rock Singers, A.S. Dance Studio, and School of Rock. Fireworks will light up Bill Robertson Park at approximately 10:30 p.m.
Blackie's hamlet celebration kicks off with a pancake breakfast from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. and a parade at 10 a.m. Lions Park opens from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with live entertainment, a tractor pull, farmers' market, car and truck show, beer gardens, and bouncy castles. Fireworks conclude festivities at 11 p.m.
High River has events throughout town. At George Lane Park from 1 to 4 p.m., there will be family games and crafts, a car show, farmers' market, and cake at 2 p.m. The library soccer field hosts friendly soccer games and skill demonstrations from 1 to 4 p.m. A concert and fireworks show runs from 7 to 11 p.m. at Emerson Lake.
Millarville Racetrack hosts its Canada Day Races—a tradition since 1905—with Thoroughbred racing and pari-mutuel wagering, plus kids' races, activities, a farmers' market, live music, and a best-dressed competition.
The DeWinton Community Association is hosting its 44th Canada Day Breakfast from 9 a.m. to noon at the DeWinton Community Hall, with breakfast for $7 adults and $5 children, plus children's games, face painting, and music. DeWinton United Church will conduct a quilt raffle with a draw at 11 a.m.
Saskatoon Farm celebrates with a show and shine (best in show wins a $250 gift card), plus a pancake breakfast, mini market, petting zoo, face painters, and live music from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.—free and family-friendly.
The Bar U Ranch National Historic Site south of Longview runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., bringing ranching history to life with animal encounters, hands-on activities, cowboy coffee and bannock, and walks on the Pekisko Creek Trail.
