Festivities celebrating Canada’s birthday will focus on the diversity of cultures in Okotoks this week.
Canada Day Multi-Cultural Celebrations will offer a range of free activities that will have participants getting a taste of various cultures outside the Okotoks Recreation Centre on July 1 from 9:45 to 3 p.m.
“We have a lot of multicultural performers and performances that are going to be going on,” said Rosanne Pinchin, the Town’s community events assistant. “It’s an opportunity to showcase all the different types of people that are in our community. Part of the reason why we wanted to do this is there are a lot of people from other parts of the world that reside in the Okotoks area.”
The Town is partnering with Calgary Catholic Immigration Services and Foothills immigration Community Services to host activities celebrating Okotoks’ abundant cultures.
“It’s been about three or four years that we’ve had this format,” said Pinchin.
“It’s a great activity and event for families. There is something for everybody.”
Countries around the world will be represented through food, music and dance, said Pinchin.
“There is going to be lots of opportunities to interact with the crowd and get people up on their feet,” she said. “It’s going to be a really great day to get out and celebrate Canada Day.”
Following the cake cutting at noon, multicultural entertainment will take place from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., as well as games, bouncy houses, face painting and crafts.
Free food samples will be available, representing various countries from around the world, from 12:15 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Free fitness opportunities are available throughout the day starting with an hour of free parent and tot swim at 9:45 a.m., followed by family aquafit class from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. and public swim from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
In the event of inclement weather, Canada Day Multi-Cultural Celebration will take place inside the curling rink.
A fireworks show will follow the Dawgs ball game against the Brooks Bombers at the Seaman Stadium. The game begins at 7:05 p.m.
