Rotary Club supports Canada Day events

How about a birthday by the lake?

On Friday, July 1, the Rotary Club of Sylvan Lake will be hosting multiple events to celebrate it being 149 years since the Dominion of Canada was created in Charlottetown, Prince EdwardIsland.

Jim MacSween, President of the Rotary Club, is excited to be involved with the Canada celebrations for the ninth year in a row.

“It’s one of the things Rotary members really enjoy because it gives us a chance to work together,” he said. “It’s a fair amount of work and it will be a busy day”

This busy day starts with the opening of the new Lighthouse Park, which will take place down by the marina at 11 a.m.

“There will be limited space, but anyone who would like to attend is more then welcome to,” MacSween said.

He added that the rotary club will be set up along the lake shore throughout the day with activities including a bouncy castle, face-painting and prizes. There are even massage therapists there to help attendees relax throughout the day.

At 2 p.m. ceremonies will begin with Mayor Sean McIntyre and MLA Don McIntyre in attendance for the colours ceremony, where the Canadian flag will be raised, and the march ofCanadians – which will take everyone from the municipal government building down to the lake shore for the evening activities.

MacSween was excited for Sylvan Lakers to share their national pride.

“So many people are new Canadians or people that have just immigrated and are not yet Canadians and they are really interested in it,” he said. “It gives us a chance to show our pride in our country and make them feel welcome.”

The evening includes performances from Jazz at the Lake, a duck race at Buk Wildz and the evenings fireworks which take place at dusk.

MacSween offered a local tip to Lakers saying that if you can find your way onto a boat – it’s “a better vista” for the fireworks.

The Rotary Club is pleased to offer the days events at no cost and according to MacSween, “people can come in and not spend a dime,” although you can choose to donate to the RotaryFund projects, which provides aid to scholarships, youth programs and community organizations like the Food Bank.

“Our object is to make Sylvan Lake a unified community,” MacSween said. “Engage people in Sylvan Lake and in Canada to make them feel proud.

He added that although the day is expected to be beautiful – the Rotary events will go rain or shine.

reporter@sylvanlakenews.com