Red Deerians get your national pride and lawn chairs ready as Canada Day draws near for its 149th celebration.

Canada will soon be celebrating its 149th birthday and the Cultural Heritage Society will be hosting its annual celebration at Bower Ponds

“It’s crazy,” said Delores Coghill, the manager of the Cronquist House. “I’ve been the manager here for four and a half years and I took over the production of Canada Day the last couple of years.”

Coghill said the Cultural Heritage Society expects there will be roughly 9,000-10,000 people in attendance throughout the celebrations and that parking will be limited.

“People can also use the park and ride at Memorial Centre, so you can park your vehicle there and take a bus for a couple of bucks,” said Coghill. “Or you can take the shuttle service from downtown which will take you directly to the park grounds.”

Coghill said the event plans on having a constant stream of performers on the stage near the pond from 11:30 a.m. right down to when the fireworks start which is around 11 p.m.

“This year we plan on having Tap9, Young Medicine, Whisper Kings and Trent Agecoutay,” Coghill said. “We welcome any ethnic societies or organizations with dancing to please come.”

Opening ceremonies of the celebration start at around 2 p.m. with speeches and introductions to the mayor, Members of Parliament, MLAs and the president of the Cultural Heritage Society which will then be followed up by cake cutting.

The Cultural Heritage Society plans on also having many family oriented activities such as face painting, a bouncy castle and the Red Deer Native Friendship Society will have a Tipi set up as well.

The event will also be host to a variety of nine different food booths that will be available all day.

The night will end with a literal bang as celebration goers can expect fireworks at 11 p.m.

“This year they’re going to open up the football field which is usually blocked off,” said Coghill. “So people can go out onto it and get a better view of the fireworks.”

Coghill said that anyone that wants to come and volunteer for the festivities would be welcome.

The Cultural Heritage Society has been host to Canada Day celebrations in Red Deer since 1969, and will host its 50th Canada Day celebration in 2019.

The festivities have been held in the Bower Ponds area in front of the house since the early 80s, starting off small with a make-shift stage and a pit of gravel which would later be turned into the pond there today.

In previous years the Cultural Heritage Society has been able to host a performance from glam rock group Sweeney Todd.

Bower Ponds Recreation will also have some activities available on July 1st such as paddle boating, water balls and they will also have the pavilion open if people want to try deep-fried pickles, or tacos in a bag.

“We’re excited for Canada Day and hope people come down,” said Coghill. “It’s always a good time and a fun day.”

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