OUTLOOK - For those looking to get out and celebrate their country on July 1, a number of communities are planning a long list of events for Canada Day.
This includes the town of Outlook and the village of Elbow, which both have a substantial list of events and activities planned for those looking to throw on some red and white, wave a maple leaf, and celebrate what it means to be Canadian.
In Outlook, things get started in the morning with a pancake breakfast at the Heritage Centre from 8:00 to 10:00 am at a cost of $5.00 before the annual parade gets underway at 11:00. Always a hit in the riverside community, the parade both starts and ends at the museum.
From there, the day's itinerary moves over to the Civic Centre, where a BBQ burger lunch from 12:00 until 2:00 pm for $5.00 will be served, and the live entertainment also gets underway at noon with dance performances from young performers within the community, as well as First Nations hoop dancer Terrance Littletent, who's returning to Outlook after a very well-received debut in the community at the 2021 Canada Day event.
A Kids Zone starting at 1:00 will keep the young ones entertained, and Mayor Ryan Husband and members of Outlook's town council will be serving up cupcakes at 2:00. As well, a demonstration of the work being done in the community garden next to the Civic Centre will run from 2:00 until 4:00 before people can bring their dabbers and purchase some cards to play Bingo from 4:00 until 6:00. The beer gardens will also be open from noon until 9:00 pm.
A cold plate supper of ham and turkey, along with buns and side salads will be offered at 6:00, at which point live music will hit the stage with performances from Kevin Harcourt, the Riverbottom Boys, Syhra Ellis, and more.
It's said that the dry conditions in Outlook and area that only got rain recently pushed organizers to postpone the standard fireworks display on July 1. A special event is being planned for later this summer where the fireworks will indeed explode over Outlook, so the public is being urged to stay tuned.
All the proceeds from the BBQ lunch, cold plate supper and Bingo card sales will go toward new playground equipment at the Outlook Kinsmen Park.
Venturing down to the lakeside village of Elbow, another pancake breakfast kickstarts their July 1 celebrations at the Harbor Golf Community Center from 8:30 to 10:00 at a cost of $10 for adults and $5.00 for kids 12 and under. From there, a bike and golf cart parade takes place at 11:00 that starts at the Bethel Lutheran Church and ends at the Elbow Hotel.
A Kids Zone will also be operated on Saskatchewan Street from noon until 3:00 pm, and an inflatable obstacle course will also be run from noon until 8:00. Food trucks and a beer garden will also be on Saskatchewan Street starting at noon.
A street dance featuring groups Oooo La La and The Raccoons gets underway starting at 1:30, and the annual Fish Fry supper starts getting served up starting at 4:30 and running until 7:00 at the Harbor Golf Community Center at a cost of $22 for adults and $12 for kids 10 and under.
A fireworks display caps another Canada Day in Elbow at approximately 10:30 pm.
Canada Day always finds a way to instill the Canadian spirit in everyone who celebrates it, and this year appears to be no different in communities dotting the map.
