Inaugural Community Barbecue sees tremendous turnout

By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman - Lethbridge Herald on August 24, 2022.

Herald photo by Alejandra Pulido-Guzman Mayor Blaine Hyggen shows off his barbecuing skills by flipping a burger paddy, surprising those around him during the Mayor's Community Barbecue Tuesday morning in front of city hall.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com

Whoop-Up Days commenced Tuesday and saw hundreds of people take part in the return of the parade as well as the Mayor’s Community Barbecue, where people were treated to a performance by local artist Trevor Panczak.

“I’m super excited to come in here and see all of this after the parade. This is fantastic, this is community,” said Mayor Blaine Hyggen during a scrum at the community barbecue on the grounds of City Hall.

He said it was great to see people come together from different backgrounds.

“Everybody’s just together enjoying themselves on opening Whoop-Up Days, this is fantastic,” said Hyggen.

He said he was a bit blown away by the turn out at the barbecue.

“The lineup is quite a ways back there, I hope people are patient to get through, but it’s going to be a great day,” said Hyggen.

When asked about the parade, he said it was long, with multiple floats this year.

“After not having it for a couple years, it was great to have it back again,” said Hyggen.

He said one float that stood out to him was the haunted mansion float.

“There’s Indigenous floats here this time, which was fantastic, and drummers and so much fun,” said Hyggen.

He said it was great to see the Indigenous leaders as Marshalls.

To have the chiefs from Piikani, Kainai and Siksika and to be represented here in the parade is fantastic and to have the Pow Wow is great,” said Hyggen.

He said he is looking forward to watching some rodeo and being able to be out and about within the community.

After speaking to the media, Hyggen flipped some burgers and spoke to some community members while serving them. Those enjoying the barbecue had the opportunity to listen to Trevor Panczak, who spoke to the media shortly before hitting the front steps of City Hall.

“It feels amazing because it’s been two years in the making, and we see everybody lined up for the event and they’ve been lined up here at the tables for over an hour after the parade,” said Panczak.

He said it was great to see the turn out, as this is what Lethbridge is all about.

The fact that this year marks 125 years of Whoop-Up Days brings lots of memories to Panczak, who said he has attended for many years.

“I think my first Whoop-Up Days was in 1995, so that’s a long time ago already,” said Panczak.

He reflected on playing at Pioneer Park on the old stage before they had the canopy stage, and winning a contest when he was a kid.

“You remember your roots and to be able to kind of come full circle like this and see ourselves on the front steps at the City Hall headlining the show is pretty awesome,” said Panczak.

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