Cochrane's biggest party to celebrate Canada's 157th birthday will go down at Mitford Park on July 1st. 

Erika Richards, secretary with Cochrane & Area Events Society (CAES) said they're looking forward to hosting a Citizenship ceremony for the first time in seven years where 50 people will become Canadians. 

"A more engaging experience for people when it's on Canada Day. We're expecting about 50 people to become citizens. We'll have a little reception for them afterwards and a whole pomp and ceremony. It's going to be pretty cool."

Canada Day will kick off with a lacrosse exhibition game featuring The Junior B Calgary Chill. 

There will be a full slate of kids and family activities including games, giant inflatable activity centres, a petting zoo, pony rides, face painting, and bubble balls.

Live entertainment will include the Calgary Stampede Band of Outriders, the Smoking Aces and Cochrane Sings.

The Canada Day evening Concert Series will feature Calgary rockers Hi-Tops and pop/country-rock performer Jeff Catto. Headlining the event is Kendra Kay, known as Canada’s Country Girl. Kendra Kay is a seven-time Manitoba Country Music Association award winner, and her 2023 debut album reached the number one spot on the Canadian Country iTunes charts.

There will also be food trucks and Half Hitch Brewing Company will operate a beer tent. 

Richards said it's important to them to ensure the nearly 12-hours of entertainment is inclusive for everyone. 

"It's absolutely free. Everything. That's in our mandate from the town but it's also our mandate. We never want money to be a reason why somebody can't participate in a local activity.

Party goers are asked to bike, walk or take the Southland Shuttles or COLT to Mitford Pond on Canada Day as there is very limited parking in the area and no parking on site.

The day will end off with a bang with a fireworks or pyrotechnics show (depending on weather) at 11 p.m. 

91.5 CochraneNow's Eric Ruttle and Lauren Meister will MC the event. 

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