Are you ready to celebrate Canada's 151st birthday?!

After you have stuffed yourself with flapjacks and watched the flag raising at the Royal Canadian Legion you can head on over to Mitford Park for all day entertainment.

There will certainly be no shortage of stuff to do down at Mitford with musical entertainment, copious amounts of activities for kids, a chance to connect with town council, a family-friendly beer garden, market, and a number of food trucks. 

Marina Chabbert, President of Cochrane Area Events Society, shares things are shaping up nicely for Canada Day at Mitford Park. "Everything is organized, everything is down pat we're just waiting for it to creep closer so we can start setting up."

Volunteer orientation has wrapped up and for the most part, all positions are filled. "We may still be short a little bit but we're not bad. The only things we might be short on is the last shift for some of the games and activities, but I think most of the activities will be pretty played out by that time."

As far as activities you will certainly not be bored. More and more businesses and community sponsors have stepped forward to not only fill the park but provide entertainment from young to old. Attendees will find a petting zoo, pony rides, arrow tag, bumper balls, bouncy castles, mini golf, a toddler rollercoaster, carnival games, oversized board games, stilt walkers, roaming characters, balloon twister, henna and sparkle tattoos, face painting and kids crafts. On top that, Chabbert, shares they will be honouring some of Cochrane's greatest athletes and music will fill the air from start to finish. "It is always such a great relaxing feeling when you are listening to great music surrounded by family and friends and just enjoying the day."

This will certainly be the most jammed packed Canada Day celebration in town history and feedback has been fantastic. "We have had a positive response from families because they realize there is going to be lots to do for long periods of time. They don't have to rush to get to the park to do an activity that will only be available for a certain hour, they can come and go as they please which is quite nice."

Another perk for families with very young children will be a quiet tent sponsored by Two Pharmacy. "It's a tent where mothers can go and lay their babies down for a nap, take a rest themselves or maybe they need a quiet place to nurse or just to change their baby, we will have supplies on hand as well."

As of right now, weather looks good with mixed sun and cloud and a high of 18C, which Chabbert is happy about, "We don't want a repeat of last year, but it is what it is. Cochrane people are resilient and they come out rain or shine, but no matter the weather we're going to have a great time."

Fireworks are scheduled to be fired off at 11 pm and set to music this year which is also a new addition.

Hoping to see over 5000 people come to the park this year, Chabbert says the event would just not be possible without the support of the Town of Cochrane, Stephenie Shelstad of Cochrane Light Up, Raelle Rivoire of the Markit Cochrane (Rustic Charm), Marya Pettigrew, the many community sponsors and board members including Ronnie Knowles, Roxanne Macintosh, Erica Lister, Crystal Payant, Erika Richards, Noel Edey, Mike Buckingham, Aimee O'Neill and Ute Gilbert.

The entire event is FREE unless you plan to buy 50/50 tickets, hit up the food trucks, market or family-friendly beer gardens hosted by Half Hitch Brewery. Everything kicks off at noon with a non-denominational church service by the Cowboy Church. You will find a full timeline, shuttle schedule, attending food trucks and market vendors below.

Timeline for Mitford Park:

  • 12:00 – 12:45 Cowboy Church Service
  • 12:45 – 12:50 National Anthem by the Cochrane Youth Singers
  • 1:10 to 1:55 Highway 22
  • 2:15 to 3:00 Low Tide
  • 3:10 to 3:30 Midnight Taiko Japanese Drummers
  • 3:45 to 4:10 Both Low Tide and Taikos (dual set)
  • 4:15 to 5:00 Low Tide
  • 5:00 to 5:20 Karate Demonstration
  • 5:20 to 6:00 Cochrane Pipe Band marching in Athletes Awards
  • 6:00 to 6:20 Stoney Dancers
  • 6:25 – 8:10 No Refund!
  • 8:30 to 11:00 TC & Company
  • 11:00 Fireworks coordinated to music

Shuttle:

Food Trucks:

  • Cracked YYC
  • Lobster Mobster
  • Family Freeze 
  • Grilled
  • Devils Head Coffee
  • Awko Taco 
  • Mighty Halifax Style Donair
  • Supreme Hotdogs
  • Papa John’s Pizza
  • Stagecoach 
  • Sugar Cube YYC

Market Vendors:

  • Origami Owl
  • Scentsy
  • Below the Bark Wood Designs
  • Livelifelivery Farm
  • Small Print
  • AH Clothing
  • Norwex 
  • Keep the Quote
  • Widahl Woodcraft
  • Crazy Cat
  • Doterra
  • Rustic Olive Bar
  • MaxiFoods
  • Bark Industries
  • Silverwear Jewelry
  • Baby Expressions
  • Arbonne
  • The Perogy Guy
  • Voxx Life
  • Young Living
  • Bri designs
  • Spirit of Oneness
  • Blissfully Luscious Lips
  • Mystical Voyage
  • Open Road Design
  • Sutherland Custom Woodworking
  • I Draw Foodles