Coming this March Red Deerians will have the opportunity to enjoy a more cultural experience at Bower Ponds.
The second annual Red Deer Carnaval runs March 4-5 and will include activities around Red Deer until March 12th.
The Carnaval will not only feature French Canadian culture, but this year the addition of Métis culture has been added in the mix.
The Carnaval is hosted by the Association Canadienne-Française de L’Alberta (ACFA) and the Métis Local 492 and will include live music focused around traditional instruments such as violins as well as six bilingual performers.
Numerous activities for the whole family will include games, the maple sugar shack, the Trappers’ Tent (a new addition highlighting Métis culture), dancers, musicians, fiddlers and other activities and entertainment.
In order to get into the Carnaval a tag must be purchased at the G.H. Dawe Community Centre, the Collicutt Centre, the ACFA at 4932 B Ross St. or the Recreation Centre.
Anyone who purchases a tag will receive $10 off the regular $20 ticket price to the closing ceremony on March 12 at the CrossRoads Church starting at 8 p.m.
Raymond Morin, a board member of ACFA, said this year will be better than last and they are expecting to double last year’s attendance of about 1,500 people.
“With the Carnaval we hope to fill the activity void in March since not much happens for people outdoors,” said Morin.
Partnering with the Métis Association this year was a decision that fit well according to Morin since most Métis and French Canadians are related in some way.
“We decided to partner with them because French Canadians and Métis have a lot in common because a lot of Métis are of French Canadian descent, particularly the Crees,” said Morin.
This year’s theme is titled ‘Let’s Play Outside’ and is more focused towards schools, but Morin said anyone is welcome and is encouraged to attend the festivities.
“Our aim is to get people outdoors,” said Morin. “This year is going to be a very wonderful event and an exciting week not only for Red Deer, but also the area around such as Blackfalds and Lacombe because we want to reach out locally.”
For more information on the event visit www.carnavaldereddeer.com.
tsigurdson@reddeerexpress.com
