Crowds of people packed the park, July 16, to celebrate the 26th anniversary of Parks Day.
The event saw hundreds of visitors descend on the information centre lawn, where the Friends of Jasper National Park organized a variety of activities for locals and visitors alike.
There were guided hikes throughout the day, with local guides bringing people up to Angel Glacier and up to Old Fort Point, and there were special deals for people to check out Jasper鈥檚 planetarium, paddle boarding on Lake Edith and historical geocaching around the park.
Some of the day鈥檚 special events included an RCMP search and rescue dog demo and magician Ryan Michael who dazzled the crowd with his tricks.
There were also opportunities for kids to learn about the ecological benefits of wildfires and the various types of wildlife found in the park with Parks Canada interpreters.
As the day started to wind down, there was still one more treat to be had as the Wild Spirit Drum Group, part of the Bighorn Stoney First Nation, donned full regalia and presented several traditional dances.
Parks Day was created in 1990 and is celebrated in all of Canada鈥檚 parks on the third Saturday of July.
In Jasper, the event began small, with just a booth at Old Fort Point, but in recent years it has expanded into a full-day celebration, with endless opportunities to learn about the natural and cultural heritage of Jasper National Park.
Kayla Byrne
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