City urging residents to celebrate Canada Day in their backyard

By Jensen, Randy on June 26, 2020.

Artists Criss Wiebe and Jheri Cook work on a window mural Thursday at city hall, as the City is encouraging the community to consider small, safe gatherings to celebrate Canada Day this year. Herald photo by Ian Martens @IMartensHerald

Tim Kalinowski

Lethbridge Herald

tkalinowski@lethbridgeherald.com

Lethbridge residents are being encouraged to have the greatest Canada Day celebration ever this year, but from their own backyards.

“This year it has meant a redesign to include the community without a festival,” explains City of Lethbridge Canada Day Committee chair Sarah Burton. “We have decided to encourage the community to celebrate in their backyard. Whether it’s in your own backyard or in a park, go out and celebrate with your own small group of friends in a safe way.”

Burton’s team has prepared a “Celebrate in Your Backyard” booklet with suggested games, activities, crafts and recipes to help make this stay-at-home celebration more enjoyable for the whole family. They have also prepared 1,000 gift bags filled with Canada Day items for younger residents. The booklets and treat bags are available for curbside pickup at both library branches, at city hall and at the Helen Schuler Nature Centre. Those wanting more information about these items can call 311.

In conjunction with these activities, the Canada Day Committee will also be sponsoring a home and business decorating contest where people can send in a photo of their patriotic efforts before Monday to be entered in a prize draw. The committee is also sponsoring a colouring contest and prize draw for those under 17 years of age – details and patterns can be found in the “Celebrate in Your Backyard” booklet.

Unfortunately due to ongoing public health restrictions, the annual fireworks show has also been cancelled, says Burton.

“We were unable to do the fireworks simply because we would not be able to meet the crowd requirements of 100 people or less,” she explains. “It’s difficult to try to say we’ll have them, but nobody can come.”

She reminds residents who might be thinking of putting on their own fireworks display at home they are required to get a fire permit from Lethbridge Fire Prevention first. The City will also be broadcasting the national virtual fireworks display on its social media pages on Canada Day.

The last time Canada Day festivities were cancelled in Lethbridge was in 2008; that was due to heavy rains at the time.

Follow @TimKalHerald on Twitter

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