The weekend that all Sylvan Lake residents look forward to is returning June 9-11, when the Town will host its annual historical celebration: 1913 Days. The event welcomes residents and visitors to visit multiple attractions throughout Town which are focused on the history of Sylvan Lake. This year, the organizers are also looking to tie in the Canada 150 celebrations.
This year offers some new and returning activities, according to Town of Sylvan Lake Special Events Coordinator Michelle Houle.
“Some things we are doing differently for 1913 Days is we have actually moved the Street Festival from Saturday to Friday - so that is a major change in the schedule,” she said. “It will be Friday night from 4-8 p.m. There is the Sylvan Lake Quilters Guild Quilt Show which is happening at the Community Centre Gym, Friday and Saturday and the Farmer’s Market will be on Friday. On Saturday there will be the Fire Hall Pancake Breakfast and the House of Music Concert at Timber Coffee. There will be a First Nations Dance Theatre Performance happening in Centennial Park.”
The Town of Sylvan Lake is also looking to tie in Canada’s history during the annual 1913 Days Parade.
“We decided to tie the parade in with Canada 150 to celebrate our Town and Canada’s birthday,” she said. “We are hoping to see some really cool floats tailored to those themes, and we are still accepting entries until June 7.”
Feedback for the event, according to Houle, is always generally positive.
“It is always a really fun weekend - hopefully the weather is nice because that always plays into it,” she said. “We are really looking forward to an awesome event and we have a lot of great things planned.”
Houle believes that 1913 Days is a great way for residents to celebrate Sylvan Lake together.
“It is important to celebrate our community because we live in an amazing community,” she said. “We really want to celebrate being part of it, and where we came from - and where we are now. A lot of the events are community-run and we live in a great area that comes together at all these events.”
Houle took some time to thank all the groups and volunteers that help make the day possible.
“The Town of Sylvan Lake does plan a few of the events like the festival and the parade, but all of the other events are planned by community groups and volunteers,” she said. “A lot of the schedule comes from those groups and volunteers. These organizations are trying to host a good weekend for the residents of Sylvan Lake.”
todd.vaughan@sylvanlakenews.com