麻豆传媒

Assiniboia marked Canada Day and celebrated 150 years of Confederation in a cheerful mood under cloudless sunny skies on July 1.

聽The town looked festive with storefronts decorated with flags, the flowers planted by Assiniboia Communities in Bloom in full array and banners decorating street posts. Hundreds of residents around town joined in decorating their windows and yards with Canada Flags and festive messages.聽

A full slate of events began early at Central Park with a pancake breakfast hosted by the Southland Co-op that attracted hundreds. The event proved so popular that extra tables had to be set up across the street. The Assiniboia Bakery provided a special Canada Day cake for the breakfast.聽

The main attraction was the mid-morning parade organized by the Assiniboia and District Chamber of Commerce. Families lined Centre Street to watch over 30 floats representing businesses and organizations in the community.聽

Members of Assiniboia鈥檚 RCMP detachment led the parade marching the whole length in their ceremonial red dress. The parade featured mascots like Fat Cat, classic cars, a horse and buggy, and a parade of tractors through the decades among others. Some of the more entertaining entries included the Young鈥檚 Equipment float featuring a country band playing selections referencing farming equipment, and the Canalta Hotel float that recreated a comfortable bedroom.

After the parade, events shifted to the Aquatic Centre parking lot for the annual Chilli Cook Off between the emergency services. Assiniboia鈥檚 Volunteer Fire Department pitted their secret chilli recipe against those of Hutch Ambulance and the RCMP. The Assiniboia Bakery donated a Canada Day cake for dessert. In a demonstration of Canadian democracy, those attending the event voted for their favourite chilli. For the second year in a row, the RCMP won the trophy.聽

Alongside in Kinsmen park, bouncy castles were set up for children sponsored by the RCMP. Families spent the afternoon at the park at the play stations and bouncy castles, followed by fun at the Slip 鈥榥 Slide provided by the Recreation Department.聽

Later in the day, children and their parents cooled off with a free swim at the pool. The entertainment also included the Southern Cruiser鈥檚 Demolition Derby that kept car fans enthralled. For the evening 121 Steakhouse hosted a street dance featuring the popular southern Saskatchewan group, The Badlands Country Band. A large crowd attended the event, which included food, music and dancing.聽

The day ended with a magnificent firework display by Paradise Fireworks at the fair grounds. Just before the fireworks, the spectators were treated to a fire hooping performance by Karissa Piche.聽

The fireworks were unique as the story of the settlement of Canada and highlights from its modern history were related in a voiced presentation with music and was coordinated with the various firework displays. For example, exploding red fireworks close to the ground represented Canadians in the First and Second World Wars. There was even a beaver made out of fireworks. The finale filled the sky with colourful exploding light.聽