Hold onto your flag, because Canada Day organizers are upping the ante this year with some major additions to the annual festivities.
At high noon on July 1 all eyes will be peeled to the sky as at least one CF-18 hornet buzzes the Info Centre Lawn to salute the flag a mere 500 feet above the ground.
Adding to the day鈥檚 energy, organizers have lined up five marching bands to partake in the annual parade that begins at 1 p.m.
Organizers have also secured country musician and Juno award nominee Krissy Feniak and HOJA, a Canadian acappella group, to entertain the crowds at Centennial Field before the fireworks light up the night sky.
鈥淲e are so pumped,鈥� said Pattie Pavlov, general manager for the Jasper Park Chamber of Commerce.
鈥淲e think we鈥檙e taking it to a new level this year and we鈥檙e hoping to top that next year with Canada鈥檚 150th.鈥�
Back by popular demand, the municipality will kick things off with its annual pancake breakfast starting at 9 a.m. Last year, nearly 1,500 people gulped down sticky pancakes over a two-hour period.
The zero-waste event costs $2 per person. To cut down on waste people are asked to bring their own plates and cutlery or rent a plate for $3, which will be refunded when it鈥檚 returned. Compostable cups and cutlery will also be provided.
Following breakfast, a flag raising ceremony will be held at the Info Centre at 11 a.m. where visitors and residents can catch a glimpse of the CF-18 Hornet.
The parade will begin at 1 p.m. and follow its usual route from the Activity Centre down Pyramid Lake Road, right along Connaught Drive, to Hazel Avenue, right down Patricia Street to Elm Street and then turn on to Turret Street.
Two of the five marching bands in this year鈥檚 parade include The Royal Canadian Artillery Band, a 35-piece marching band based in Edmonton, as well as a group of Chinese dragon dancers.
鈥淲e鈥檙e extremely excited,鈥� said Pavlov, about the bands. 鈥淚t鈥檚 going to really add to the excitement around the parade.鈥�
She urged groups who want to participate in the parade to register their float early so they can secure a spot. To ensure the parade route is free of cars, parking will be banned starting at 11 a.m.
鈥淭he more heads up we get, especially with this many more participants, the easier it will be to slot them in a place that鈥檚 appropriate for them in the parade,鈥� said Pavlov.
The parade is expected to wrap up no later than 2:30 p.m.
Following the parade the Jasper-Yellowhead Museum and Achieves will host its annual family barbeque at Centennial Park. There will be loads of entertainment for the kids from face painting to storytellers to a magician. There will even be a Canadian trivia contest to test people鈥檚 Canadian knowledge.
Several of the marching bands are also expected to perform in the park following the parade.
At 6 p.m. the beer gardens will officially open with entertainment provided by a DJ and local musicians.
鈥淲e want as many local musicians as possible who are willing to take the stage,鈥� said Pavlov, adding they don鈥檛 have a budget to pay them, but will make sure they are fed and well taken care of.
At 8:30 p.m. country musician Krissy Feniak will take over the stage followed by Canadian acappella group HOJA, which has done several shows in Jasper in the past.
鈥淭hey will perform just before the fireworks and they鈥檒l be the ones to sing O Canada before we hit the button,鈥� said Pavlov.
The fireworks are expected to begin around 11:30 p.m. at Centennial Field.
All of the money raised during the barbeque and from the beer garden will support the museum, which is facing serious financial issues.
For more information about Canada Day, to volunteer, or to register a float, go to www.jaspercanadaday.com.
Paul Clarke
[email protected]
