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Out and about in Athabasca

What a weekend. If you were anywhere in the Athabasca region from Thursday through Sunday, you’ll know there were just a ton of events in which to participate.

What a weekend.

If you were anywhere in the Athabasca region from Thursday through Sunday, you’ll know there were just a ton of events in which to participate.

From the River Rats festival to the classic car show; the Canada Day parade to the art show and sale by the Athabasca Group of Artists; the Captain Shot reunion to the jet boat rally – this small town had a lot going on.

It’s a pretty astounding feat, given the size of the community.

To offer such a wide-ranging selection of activities for folks to take part in as they celebrate the dominion’s 149th birthday took massive effort and communication on the parts of organizers and volunteers alike.

To make all those plans come to life during an economic downturn is even more impressive.

As the Globe and Mail reported this past weekend, many businesses that usually contribute funds and fanfare to the Calgary Stampede are tightening their belts and cutting back on their contributions this year, the result of some trying economic times.

Surely this was on organizers’ minds as they prepared for the weekend but in the end, it was surely worth it. Despite some downpours, there was always some kind of crowd.

The diversity of events was impressive as well. There was something available for everyone to enjoy, from the tiniest tot to the most revered elder.

Different cultures of the region, from First Nations groups to Ukrainians who have settled in the area, were celebrated on stage at the River Rats festival.

Even the Captain Shot event honoured a local legend, a fierce guide for the Hudson’s Bay Company back in the day when the trapper and their furs were in high demand.

We are lucky to live in a community where leaders come together to organize these kinds of bustling weekends, where people come from near and far to partake in festivities together.

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