Canada Day celebration to expand into full festival in Kin Coulee
By ANNA SMITH LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE on June 8, 2024.
asmith@medicinehatnews.com The Medicine Hat Skateboard Association in partnership with The Connection are hosting the Kin Coulee Canada Day celebration and are determined to make it bigger and better than ever before. In addition to Beat the Heat, the largest amateur skateboard competition in Canada, the association has expanded to create a day-long festival that stretches into the evening before as well said Davie James with the Medicine Hat Skateboard Association. “We’ve got some action blast fun happening down here in the coulee. We’ll kick off on Sunday, June 30, with our traditional night of skateboarders,” said James. “They’ll be warming up at the skatepark, We’re getting in live music, with a bunch of punk bands playing there. And then everyone’s gonna make their way over here to the circle. And here in the circle, there’s going to be a big glow stick party and a couple local acts playing as well.” The dance party itself will be an invitation from many cultures to showcase their styles of dance, something James stressed as important in celebrating the multicultural nature of Canada and also to provide a platform for reconciliation. “We’re here to celebrate culture, but we’re also here in the spirit of reconciliation as well,” said James. “And that’s a huge focus. The last thing I want to do is just throw in the rag and say ‘Let’s cancel Canada Day.’ No, let’s work together.” The highlight of the evening, however, is the return of the Canada Day fireworks show, taking place at roughly 11pm on June 30 in Kin Coulee. “I remember being a young kid, I remember being 16 years old and it didn’t matter what side of the coulee you were on, you could just see them from any angle. You know, you could live in residential areas all around this park, and you could just see them for days. And, and we just want to bring that spirit back,” said James. To go along with the fireworks, said James, they have a big headlining band, though the association is keeping the secret of who will be playing close to their chest for now. The next day, the park will be full of sports, inflatable structures for children, vendors and food trucks, turning the celebration into a festival in of itself. The goal, said James, was to create a family-friendly day that was free for attendees and accessible for everyone in the city. James expressed gratitude to all of the other organizations in the city who have come together to make the event possible, as well as all of the vendors, sponsors, and volunteers who have given time, effort, and funds in support of the dream of bringing back a Canada Day celebration to remember. The June 1 event will have free entertainment on the Kin Coulee stage, cultural groups, food trucks, vendors organized by Homestead Market, artisans, children’s activities, a petting zoo, sporting events including SEAVC volleyball tournament, 3-on-3 basketball, barefoot soccer, and cricket. They are still looking for vendors and sponsors, added James, and anyone interested in doing so is encouraged to reach out to the Medicine Hat Skateboarders Association. 14-13
