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By Cindy Ballance
Editor
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Annually the Spirit of Okotoks weekend is a time for Okotoks residents to let their
hair down and kick their shoes off and join in on some good ol' fun.
And this year things are no different -- just bigger and better.
This weekend will feature the traditional activities held annually during the Spirit
of Okotoks weekend with a few new attractions to keep the party going.
To kick off the day's activities a pancake breakfast will be held starting at 7:30
am at the Rotary Park near the Okotoks Library.
Mayor Bill McAlpine and councillors will be flipping flapjacks all morning for all
the hungry residents and visitors.
There will be a nominal fee for the breakfast hosted by the Okotoks and District
Chamber of Commerce.
Following the breakfast there will be an auction held around 9:30 am in the Rotary
Park with local merchants donating gifts to be auctioned off. Shawn Hanson will be
the auctioneer.
All proceeds from the auction will go to the Okotoks and District Chamber of Commerce
to help continue the various community events that the chamber sponsors every year.
The parade will begin after the auction at 11 am featuring the theme, Marching to
the Millennium.
An abundance of colorful floats, entertaining bands and a myriad of mascots, including,
of course, Okotoks' own Big Rocky will be participating.
Heading up the parade will be Bearcat Murray who will be followed by the Foothills
Community Centre float.
The parade route has changed this year and will be travelling along main street to
Highway 2A. It will then turn left and head down Northridge Drive, then turn left
again behind Petro Canada and down the back alley to The Station. At The Station
parade awards will be presented.
For the first time ever, Okotoks will host a Super Challenge to begin after the parade
at about 12:15 pm.
The Super Challenge features about six teams made up of local businesses who will
compete in a triathalon event.
The competition will feature a Western Wheelie tricycle race, sponsored by the Western
Wheel; a Falling Out of Bed Race, sponsored by Cricklewood; and Life's a Beach Volleyball
tournament, sponsored by Madsen and Company.
The teams will compete in each category to determine the winner. The challenge will
take place between the Royal Bank and Hourigan's Pub. The street will be closed for
the challenge.
Last minute entries from local businesses will be welcome. For more information call
Marg Cox at 938-8950.
Also being held after the parade will be the annual Youth Festival at Ethel Tucker
Centennial Park. The Youth Festival will be held from noon to 4 pm and will feature
a variety of arts, crafts and entertainment for the whole family.
The theme for this year's festival is 'Legends in the Park.'
In the case of rain, the festival will be held at the Okotoks Recreation Centre.
After the day of fun-filled activities, the annual Moccasin Dance, sponsored by the
chamber and the Okotoks Lions Club, will be held at 8:30 pm at the Okotoks Recreation
Centre featuring Dynaflow. Tickets are $10 and are available at the chamber office
(in Village Secretarial) or at the door.
Everyone is invited to come and enjoy the Spirit of Okotoks weekend and show new
residents, businesses and visitors what Okotoks is all about.
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