Commonwealth_ Medicine Hat Canada Day festivities were a mix of closures, block parties, and many opportunities to soak up some summer sun. While the country marked its 158th birthday, city services adjusted their hours; however, events throughout Medicine Hat and the region offered a variety of activities for residents and visitors to enjoy.
As the holiday fell on a midweek day, a few city-operated services took the day off. City Hall and all office buildings close and reopen on Wednesday. On Canada Day itself, the garbage collection wasn’t operating, with collection resuming in Zone 3 a day later. The day also saw the closure of public transit, with buses resuming operations on Wednesday. The Esplanade also closed on Monday and Tuesday, with doors opening mid-week.
However, some areas remained open. For people seeking to escape the heat, the city pools and parks provided ample opportunity to do that. Strathcona Pool and Hill Pool were open to swimmers from noon to 5 p.m. The swim lake at Echo Dale Regional Park was open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and provided families with an opportunity to unwind and cool off.
The Hill Pool, which reopened to the public recently, underwent several improvements. Upgraded change room amenities, a barrier-free washroom and change room, a new lobby, new perimeter fencing, sunshades with solar panels, and improved deck lighting were among the improvements. The improvements offered the public a more accessible and improved experience.
At Kin Coulee Park, the morning began with a complimentary pancake breakfast from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. Hosted in partnership with the Root Cellar Food and Wellness Hub, Sysco, and Link Church, the breakfast initiated a series of events that had been planned with the goal of getting individuals engaged within the community. There were also free festivities in the park that extended the Canada Day theme. These included city-wide yoga, performances, concerts by local bands, and an “ethnic food alley” operated by various food trucks. A combination of wellness, entertainment, and international foods created a vibrant and festive atmosphere for people of all ages.
The Medicine Hat Skateboard Association hosted its annual “Beat the Heat” skateboard contest at the Kin Coulee skateboard park. It ran from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and drew competitors and onlookers. Later in the day, the main stage in the park held a citizenship ceremony between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. The ceremony was an official welcome for new Canadians as they became officially recognized members of Canada’s national community, and it was attended by several dignitaries to help celebrate the occasion.
As the evening descended, the guests were treated to an evening concert by country artist Gord Bamford between 9:45 p.m. and 11 p.m. A fantastic fireworks display illuminated the skies, wrapping up the evening.
In Redcliff, just across the border, Lions Park was the site for the Canada Day celebration in the area between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. There was live music during the day by bands like Connie Jean, Rob Cook, and Mixed Company that created the mood for the celebration, which was joyous.
In Elkwater, the Community Association revived a beloved tradition: the monster slip-and-slide situated on the hillside in front of the townsite visitor center. The morning started with 9:30 a.m. bike decorating for the younger set, capped off with a 10:30 a.m. parade. The kids paraded through town and returned just in time for birthday cake at 11 a.m. Medicine Hat and the surrounding district offered a variety of activities for everyone to celebrate Canada’s birthday in full summer style, including attending a live performance, swimming at a lake beach, or watching a skateboarder.
