A view of some of the Canada Day activities from prior years. (Submitted photos/Unity and District Heritage Museum)

By battlefordsNOW staff

Celebrations in store

Unity planning Canada Day events

Jun 20, 2022 | 5:41 PM

The Unity community will be coming together on July 1 to celebrate Canada Day in a big way.

Unity and District Heritage Museum (UDHM) will host a number of events throughout the day to get people in the spirit.

Vice-president Azure McGonigle said while during the last two years the event was a smaller affair due to pandemic restrictions, this year promises to be bigger and better.

“I like to think this is going to be our biggest year yet for July 1,” she said. “So I am hoping that after being in lockdown for two years, and having such a wide variety of [activities] going on, we are going to draw a big crowd this year.”

The day starts with a pancake breakfast starting at 8 a.m., followed by a service at the Swarthmore Church, located on the museum grounds at 10:30 a.m.

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Starting at 11 a.m. the museum will be all open for visitors to tour during the day.

“We always open up the buildings for everyone to go through, for anyone who hasn’t been there, or [those] who haven’t been there in awhile,” McGonigle said. “All of our buildings are open on Canada Day for people to come and enjoy the items.”

At noon organizers are planning a flag raising and opening ceremony.

As a special surprise, during the day two new exhibits will be unveiled at the museum; the Unity Kilwinning Masonic Lodge #73 and a historic shoe-repair shop.

Other events include a concessions booth, as well as a visit from the Unity Volunteer Fire Department who will run a “Slip and Slide” 50/50 fundraiser in the afternoon, between 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.

“Whoever slides the furthest wins the pot,” McGonigle said. “They are also going to bring in their equipment to do a foam pit. And they will set up a teather ball for a competition between two teams with the hoses.”

Some other highlights include new business, Diamond Valley Reptiles, who will bring in their snakes and lizards to show.

As well, a new chapter of the Block Parent program will be on hand during the day to introduce themselves.

“That’s something that is just starting up in our community,” McGonigle said.

Then, at 2:30 p.m. Jake Vaadeland and the Sturgeon River Boys will perform, followed by local artist, Diane Skog.

The event will wrap up at 5 p.m. with the second annual chili supper on a bun, included with donation, at the Adanac Hall.

Later in the evening, fireworks are planned at dusk from the location north of Eighth Avenue West, organized by the Town of Unity and the Unity and District Chamber of Commerce.

McGonigle said there will be a lot to take in for anyone in the Unity area this Canada Day.

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Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW