Crowds flock to Henderson for Canada Day activities

By Lethbridge Herald on July 4, 2023.

Herald Photo by Justin Seward Hyrum Hale and father Tyson Hale were enjoying the Canada Day activities at Henderson Lake Park proudly wearing red.

Justin Seward
LETHBRIDGE HERALD

Thousands of people flocked to Henderson Lake Park for Canada Day festivities on Saturday.

“Planning is delightful chaos every year,” said Sarah Burton, Canada Day committee chair.

“It’s so much fun. We have a really good committee and lots of help. And so, you know, we start in January and plug away right through until day of.”

People could enjoy a stage full of 15 musicians, a plethora of food vendors, take a tour of a police car and an army truck, do face painting, play on bouncy castles and visit  a new youth market this year to name a few, just to name a few activities at the park.

“I think our youth market has been really, really successful,” said Burton.

“It’s brand new this year. We have 10 vendors, they’re super excited. They’ve got some really, cute fun items for sale, all youth-made. So that’s been really, really fun to put together.”

Burton said the crowd was good-sized.

“It sort of seems every hour, it gets even busier,” she said.

“So we’re anticipating up to about 15,000 throughout the day and I think we’re going to meet or exceed that no problem.”

Burton says residents make the event go every year.

“Lethbridge is such a great community and we have so many different cultures and people in Lethbridge, that they all get to come out and celebrate being in Lethbridge and it’s just such a great day to be here,” said Burton.

Burton said it just gets bigger and better every year.

“I think every year, I think, ‘oh what are we going to top next year?’ and every year there’s something else that comes up,” she said.

“One of the things we’re most proud of is other than you know actually buying your food, the entire event is free to attend. It doesn’t cost you a dime. 

“So there are no restrictions to anybody being able to attend and I really love that about this event. You know, nobody has to think ‘I can’t bring my kids because I can’t afford it.’ If you can get to the park, everything is free.”

Cindy Griggs  was taking in the day with her kids.

“So far they’ve been a lot of fun,” said Griggs. “The kids have mostly gone to the army tent area and they’ve had fun there and they’re just like having fun taking in all the fun events.”

Griggs said there was a lot for the whole family. “I was actually surprised they have some medieval stuff going on today. That was actually kind of cool. I was like thinking maybe, you know, in the future, we might get involved more in that and check that out some more if it comes around next year.”

Tyson Hale and his young family were enjoying the bookmobile area.

“It always has lots of fun stuff for kids, crafts, little fun toys, things to colour and Lego to play with,” said Hale.

“There’s something for all kids and they all like it.”

The Hales try to make it a tradition to come out on Canada Day.

“I mean we love Canada, it’s where we’re from, and we love being a part of the community,” he said. “And this way we actually feel like we are. Especially after COVID, it’s nice to be around so many people.”