Meet the Street, the Soapbox Derby and the Battle of the Bands. Just when you thought celebrating a sesquicentennial couldn't get any more jam-packed with family-friendly festivities, Founders' Walk has its grand unveiling set for tomorrow afternoon.
Much like the others, it does as much to pay tribute to the city's heritage as it does to give them all a huge party, the likes of which has never been seen before.
"Whenever we can acknowledge the history, we've got to make sure we do that," stated Mayor Nolan Crouse of the addition to the city's 150th anniversary celebrations and commemorations.
He added the project was necessary because the path was in a state of advanced disrepair over the years and required maintenance and modernization. He's already been a pedestrian and a cyclist on the new walk several times and has found it much to his liking.
"It's really a good upgrade of an amenity plus an acknowledgement of the people that helped build the city. I'm very happy with it. It's really well done."
The remodelled walkway is a recreation and expansion of the original Founders' Promenade. That project, installed in 1988, was an acknowledgement of St. Albert's early settlers. It was also a tribute to the Memorial Drive of 1929, which was made in memory of the Oblate Missionaries, members of the 1885 St. Albert Mounted Rifles, as well as veterans of the First World War.
The new Founders' Walk extends from the clock tower at the corner of Sir Winston Churchill Avenue and Perron Street, across Mission Avenue and past the Little White Schoolhouse to Mission Hill. It features nine story panels, treed seating areas and a landscaped trail going up the hill from the downtown area past an entrance gate. It is intended not only as a beautification of an existing city feature but also an additional way to keep our city's history and heritage alive.
The project has been several years in the making as an initiative of the St. Albert Historical Society. Chair Ray Pinco is thrilled so much hard work and patience has finally come to fruition.
"It's so nice because the slope has been mitigated. You can walk and you can look around, look across the valley. It's such a beautiful view. You can speculate the exhilaration that the first missionaries probably had when they stood at the top of that hill."
The cost of the project was about $1.3 million with funding from federal, provincial and city grants.
The schedule of events
The official opening of Founders' Walk takes place at Mission Park at 1 p.m.
Attendees will then be treated to an afternoon of free family-friendly activities until 4 p.m. There will be guided walking tours, period games (including horseshoes, and both potato sack and three-legged races), and an old-fashioned photo booth. There will be entertainment courtesy of old time fiddler Daniel Gervais and hoop dancer Lakota Tootoosis.
Children's Festival favourite Grandma Willow will give people an opportunity to leave their wishes or dreams for St. Albert on the willow installation along the Perron Street Bridge.
One of the most anticipated and likely messiest events to hit the city during this sesquicentennial year is the pie-eating contest. There are three age categories: eight and under, nine to 15 and 16 and older.
Cultural services director, Kelly Jerrott, is hoping to see a good crowd, not just for the digestive challenge, but for all of the events.
"We're hoping to get a good turnout of families and residents to enjoy some fun and learn a little bit more about the city and celebrate with us."
Organizers are expecting 200 people to take part in the free contest. For rules or to register, call special projects co-ordinator Tamsin Brooks at 780-459-1713.
If you enjoy your food in moderation, then you can also check out Taste of the Past at the Father Lacombe Chapel. Interpreters in period garb will provide hourly tours and serve up historical delights like pemmican, bannock, old-fashioned ice cream, lemonade and cedar tea.
The historic landmark and oldest standing building in the province is located on St. Vital Avenue next to St. Albert Parish. Admission is free but donations are welcome. All proceeds for the day will be donated to the St. Albert Food Bank. All visitors to the Founders' Walk are invited to bring monetary or non-perishable food donations for the charity as well.
Call the chapel at 780-459-7663 for more information.
