SUNDRE — A modified Canada Day celebration is scheduled for tomorrow at the Sundre & District Museum.
While there will not be any formal fun activities for families, the event will feature the traditional raising of the flag ceremony as well as presentations from Mayor Terry Leslie and MLA Jason Nixon.
“Outside of the flag raising, the museum will be open but there will be no car show, food trucks, beer garden, child events, fireworks or entertainment,” wrote Jaime Marr in an email.
“It will be a very short and sweet event but an important one, especially during these crazy times,” said Marr.
However, people will have an opportunity to digitally tune in, with the museum presenting an online slideshow scheduled to run on its website, www.sundremuseum.com, and social media pages on Canada Day, she said.
Volunteer Nadine Pedersen will be at the museum to ensure the main doors are open by 10 a.m., although the historical pioneer village will not open to the community until 10:45 a.m., she said.
Sundre & District Historical Society director Jane Atkins will be providing a hand coordinating with the delegates for the raising of the flag.
Afterwards, Atkins will also be conducted tours every hour at the museum’s World of Wildlife exhibit. Tour groups will be limited to a maximum of 10 people at a time to ensure physical distancing can be maintained, she said.
The Sundre RCMP detachment’s Const. Mitchell Ginsberg will accompany Royal Canadian Legion Sundre Branch #23 member Fred Gillies for the formal 11 a.m. flag-raising portion of the ceremony. Jennifer Day will initiate the formal portion of the modified ceremony by singing O’ Canada.
Although no formal speeches are lined up, Leslie and Nixon will then be offered an opportunity to share some thoughts, she said.
Marr added she anticipates a full return to a more traditional format in 2021.
“We can't wait for the next year, when we believe Canada Day will be a prized event showcasing our new tipi installation and a number of different programs, exhibits, and projects. We look forward to welcoming back our car show and family events, entertainment, council barbecue, and fireworks," she said.
