BONNYVILLE - Canada day celebrations in Bonnyville started with a pancake breakfast and ended with Canadian rock band Honeymoon Suite ushering the party late into the night.
“I think it went awesome,” organizer Doreen Kushnir said. “We had lots of people show up this year and they loved all the entertainment we had... It was a great time, everybody had lots of fun. We had a little bit of rain but that didn't stop anybody.”
Kushnir said the event was a wonderful team effort “The town staff helped, and public works helped - we really pulled it together.”
An opening ceremony took place at the Bonnyville Museum where cadets marched in, speeches were made, and local Roland Theroux stepped up to serenade the crowd with an impromptu Oh Canada.
Main street was packed with people for the afternoon parade. Kids bustled with excitement as it rained candy during the boisterous parade complete with the fire department, decorated floats, smiling officials, the Lakeland Extreme drill team on their horses, cheerleaders, dancers, and more. It was an iconic small-town parade that brought the community together in joy.
The Party in the Park was buzzing with festivities. Bouncy castles, vendors, kids' games, and the splash park entertained during the early evening as everyone mingled and kites soared overhead.
The Kehewin Native Dance Theatre performed for a rapt crowd. Their sharing of their cultural dance and exquisite regalia was a real gift as Bonnyville celebrated on treaty 6 land.
The Stephanie Harpe Experience took the stage with their high energy performance. Lead singer Stephanie Harpe used her platform to advocate for indigenous issues, particularly missing and murdered indigenous women.
Fireworks lit up the sky before Honeymoon Suite got the large crowd up and dancing.
The people of Bonnyville showed up in a wonderful way for Canada day, creating a positive community vibe that made for a fun and memorable day.