By Elli Kohnert
North Thompson Star/Journal
Would the sun shine on the fun in the Park for the Canada Celebrations? Well, there was a bit of nervousness about that, but when the children’s games began at 3:00 pm, there was a light breeze that spread the large Canada flag against a blue sky dotted with powder-puff clouds; a perfect setting for the festivities that took place with the new Bandshell at the center.
Glen Stanley, organizer for the children’s games, was assisted by royalty, the Fall Fair Queen contestants, who organized and managed the games for the youngsters. It was a lively group that ran, jumped and seemingly had a great time, with many smiling adults looking on.
There was live entertainment for everyone to enjoy, especially the spectators who had settled down in their lawn chairs and on benches in front of the Bandshell. Appropriately dressed- up public personalities lent special flair to the scene. It was obvious that the face painting venue had many children who took advantage of the opportunity to get their faces covered with bright designs. Of course, the celebrations would not be complete without a variety of refreshments. The North Thompson Volunteer and Information Centre was serving up soft drinks, chips, hot dogs and hamburgers, and for desert Barr-K was selling ice cream.
In front of the Bandshell was a super large cake representing a Maple Leaf flag, set up for the public to help themselves. Bev Murphy was not only the one who had the idea to construct it out of cup cakes, but she baked it as well with the aid of several helpers. What a treat for young and old, there was a lot of icing on the faces of kids who obviously had got right into enjoying them.
In the late afternoon it was time for the official welcome, with the singing of O Canada and official welcome addresses. District of Barriere mayor Mike Fennell, appropriately dressed for the occasion, welcomed everyone to Barriere and expressed his appreciation that so many people were attending the festivities; “There were more participants than the previous year, demonstrating that our town knows how to have a great time”.
The closing event of the Canada Day celebration was designated to showcase the North Thompson Fall Fair and Rodeo Pageant with a Speech and Talent Competition and a fun fashion show, which turned out to be a great hit with the audience.