Not even COVID-19 or rain can keep Whitecourtians from celebrating Canada Day

Typically, Canada Day in Whitecourt means four things: pancakes, a parade, fun at Rotary Park and fireworks. This year, COVID-19 restrictions took much of the fun away as crowds could not gather. That meant there could not be hundreds of residents lining the downtown streets, standing, and waving at the people on the parade floats as they slowly rolled by, throwing candy. That meant not being able to come together as a community at Rotary Park for a smorgasbord of entertainment, and the singing of the Canadian anthem. It also meant that thousands could not stand together, looking up into the night’s sky as the patriotic fireworks display lit up the darkness.

With all the hoops they had to jump through to put something fun together, the Town of Whitecourt staff was undaunted. They searched for ways that would allow them to bring out the Canada Day spirit while being sure to follow social distancing rules. Sadly, the celebrations could not include cupcakes, but the sweetness shown by community members proved just as delectable. They were also able to keep fireworks part of the day by utilizing Eastlink Park and closing the immediate area to the public. Thanks to the rain, the fireworks ended up taking place on the weekend instead.

With help from Canada Day kits made available at the Allan & Jean Millar Centre, residents decorated their homes in a fun competition. There were winners in several categories: Businesses, County, Windows, and Household Lawns. The third-place winner in the Household Lawn group was located uptown on Park Circle North, just beyond the turn. They placed flags in their windows, the front door, and throughout their lawn. They even had little maple leaves all over the siding of their home and a Paw Patrol character standing guard. The second-place home, located on Poplar Drive, featured well over 30 red and white decorative items, including a Tim Hortons coffee cup. Does it get more Canadian?

The top prize for the Household Lawn Category went to the owners of a beautiful home on Spring Cove, which had several red and white flower baskets, umbrella hats, balloons, garden spinners, and even cute summer hats hanging on their outside lights. Along with those, they also had a bunch of flags in various sizes. To say they love Canada Day would be an understatement. It was indeed a well-deserved win. On the business side, the top prize went to the Community Lunch Box Society. They painted their lawn and fully decorated their downtown building, making it a sight to see. The second prize went to the Pumpjack Players. They filled a board member’s yard with posters from past shows and red maple leaves.        

Another part of the altered festivities was a video montage uploaded to the town’s Facebook page. Council members and community groups shared their wishes to their fellow Whitecourtians. Mayor Maryann Chichak opened it up decked out in festive gear. “I know we’re all proud to be Canadian, and today is the day to show it,” she said, as she waved her flags. The next smiling face was that of Sadie Thebeau, an exceptionally talented local musician, who rocked a ditty on her snazzy blue violin.

Next was beloved local artist Jacquie Paul. “I celebrate all those who came before us, and I celebrate all of us, happy together,” she said. Councillor Derek Schlosser called this year’s Canada Day a “pretty weird one” and added that, “we’ll get together when we can!” Members of the Whitecourt Fire Department posed on and around their firetruck and wished residents a Happy Canada Day with a little siren and a horn pull.

Next up, three bikers from the Whitecourt Mountain Bike Association jumped over a Canada flag held below them as they sent their wishes. Perhaps the funniest moment of the video was from Councillor Paul Chauvet, who started his clip zoomed in close. “On behalf of the town of Whitecourt, I would like to wish you all a happy Canada Day, and remember, stay safe.” As the camera zoomed out, a huge smile came across his face. He was sitting in a chair, wearing a duck inner tube, with arm floaties, and his feet in a child’s pool with a big Canada flag behind him. It was priceless.

Councillor Bill McAree was the final voice to be heard on the video. “Hi, everybody! Twenty-twenty has been a crazy year, but as Canadians, we are going to get through it. I want you all to stay safe and stay happy. And let me assure you, sometime in the future, not too sure when, not too sure where, but I will be cooking pancakes again. You guys all have a great day. Happy Canada Day.”