Come 'Rendezvous' on Sunday, Aug. 28, from Riel Park to Kingswood at 10 different picnic locations along the Sturgeon River and as far out as the Grain Elevator Park and River Lot 56.
Fifty-eight different organizations and vendors will be helping the Rendezvous 2011 Committee to put on the biggest celebration in St. Albert in 150 years. Opening ceremonies are at 11:30 a.m. in front of St. Albert Place. The first 1,000 people in attendance will be given a cupcake.
Picnic entertainment and activities are to take place between noon and 5 p.m. Admission and all entertainment and transportation to the picnic is free. Although there will be food and souvenirs for sale at various sites, families are invited to bring a blanket and pack a lunch. Please bring a donation for the St. Albert Food Bank.
This is a chance to be counted as a participant and to be entered to win a $100 shopping spree at St. Albert Centre. Watch for the volunteers in yellow T-shirts to get your numbered bracelet, then check the St. Albert Gazette Wednesday, August 31 to see if you have the winning bracelet.
Park-and-ride
Most activities and picnic sites will be within walking or biking distance along the Red Willow Trail system. St. Albert Transit will provide a free park-and-ride system with three parking areas: at the Alliance Church on Villeneuve Road; on the west side of St. Albert Centre beside Arby's; and at the Village Landing transit station. Parking will be in designated areas at all of these locations and anyone parking outside those areas could be ticketed.
St. Albert Transit will offer free service along the Red Willow Park system. The routing will travel from the Kinsmen Banquet Centre in Riel Park to Kingswood Park. Service will pass marked stops on a 10-15 minute cycle that involves Riel Drive, Sir Winston Churchill Avenue, Perron Street, St. Anne Street and Sturgeon Road.
Three horse-drawn buggies will transport people from the Grain Elevator Park to Mission Hill.
Area 1: Kinsmen Concert, Naturalist and Sport Zone
The Riel Park activity area features local singers and bands on the main stage of the Kinsmen Rodeo Grounds. Shows are between 1 and 4 p.m.
Ducks Unlimited will host a guided tour of the new John E. Poole Interpretive Boardwalk. The organization is also sponsoring a Duck Derby from the CN trestle bridge on the Sturgeon River. Raffle tickets are available ahead of time at Hole's Enjoy Centre as well as on site on picnic day.
The St. Albert BMX Club is hosting an open house and demonstration on its new track.
Area 2: Grain Elevator Park
St. Albert Arts and Heritage Foundation volunteers will provide interactive tours of the park and local entertainers will be on stage throughout the afternoon. All the AHF heritage sites will be open, including the Father Lacombe Chapel and the Little White School House. The St. Albert Michif Institute will also be open.
Area 3: Train trestle bridge
The Fortis and Bourgeois Aboriginal Showcase features dancers, drummers, singers and storytellers from the local Aboriginal community. The St. Albert Community Band will entertain.
Area 4: Lions and Millennium Park
Sarasota Homes presents Wheels with a display of collectible cars from local owners as well as military vehicles. Between noon and 1:30 p.m., the public is invited to vote for the best car. UP 99.3 Radio will be on location from 10:30 to 2:30 p.m. The St. Albert Host Lions Club will sell hot dogs. The St. Albert Senior Citizens' Club will have a barbecue and horseshoe tournament.
Area 5: St. Albert Place
This area is at the hub of the picnic and is the location of the main stage with entertainment provided throughout the afternoon by Visionary College. Members of the Potters' and Painters' Guilds will display their wares and demonstrate their artistry. The St. Albert Public Library will host a scavenger hunt across all 10 picnic sites. ACT/UCT members will host a fundraising barbecue across from St. Albert Place.
Area 6: Seven Hills
L'Association Canadienne-Française de l'Alberta celebrates its 85th anniversary at the base of Seven Hills with French entertainers and craft activities. Children's entertainer Alex Mahé will be on stage and children can try the games set up in the flat area behind école Father Jan.
Area 7: Sturgeon Road
Scouts Canada will set up an interactive display and camp near the old RCMP log building by the Sturgeon River. Local Scouts will be collecting recyclable bottles and other containers throughout the picnic sites.
Area 8: St. Albert Centre parking lot
The Community Demonstration Zone near the footbridge is the area where Makin' Trax will host a dog agility demonstration. Local martial artists will demonstrate their skills and the St. Albert Chamber of Commerce will host Old Fashioned Picnic Games. Everyone is welcome to try tossing a balloon or to latch onto a partner and hop along in a three-legged race.
Area 9: Woodlands Water Play Park
A number of activities are planned in the McDonald's Fun Zone that stretches from the waterpark to the St. Albert Botanic Park. Ronald McDonald will be doing magic shows at the waterpark to raise funds for the Kids' Help Phone. This is the area where you can watch and cheer on some 35 agile little bunnies from the Canadian Rabbit Hopping Club.
Stroll on down to the St. Albert Botanic Park and take time to smell the roses as you listen to a harpist.
Area 10: Kingswood Park
Events at Telus Youthapalooza were organized by members of the 150th Anniversary Youth Subcommittee. Music in this area will rock with Harlley Snow performing. There will be eight inflatable things to try including inflatable bungees and obstacle courses. Little children can try their luck at the fish tanks and a dunk tank will add a bit of a splash.
Registration for the Amazing Challenge takes place at the Telus information booth and it's first-come, first-entered for this event. The first 10 teams to show up, with up to five members per team, can enter one of two races scheduled for 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. St. Albert Centre vouchers of $300 for first place; $200 for second and $100 for third will be presented to the winners of both races.
