The Town of Rockglen celebrated Canada150 on August 12-13 with two days filled with activities to suit every age and interest group.
The August 12 activities took place at Rockin Beach starting with the 4-H club鈥檚 delicious pancake breakfast at the Quonset. Later in the afternoon, the annual Rockin Beach Mud Bog saw 47 drivers compete for prizes. The roast beef supper that followed attracted a large crowd, which stayed for the official welcome program and hoop dancing performance by Terrance Littletent.
An evening cabaret followed with music by Buck Shot with Tyler Lewis. The day ended on a high note with a spectacular fireworks display at Rockin Beach that lit up the sky.
The next day began with a pancake breakfast on August 13 hosted by the Rockglen Co-op at the community hall. The official welcome and a Canada150 program took place in mid-morning.
The Canada150 program was a well-crafted presentation containing videos, PowerPoint slides, speeches and a live performance by the Canada150 ecumenical choir. An ecumenical church service followed in the hall with congregations from Rockglen鈥檚 churches taking part. Guests were welcome to participate and sing along or just observe.
After the service, visitors stopped in to the Rockglen Tourism鈥檚 Visitor Centre for the farmer鈥檚 market, food and music. The market offered a variety of goods including books, household products, garden vegetables, honey and flowers. Visitors could shop or visit with friends while listening to singers and musicians entertain with country cover hits.
Just after noon, the grand opening of the Heritage Orchard and Tree Canada dedication took place. Russell Belbeck from the Heritage Orchard Committee emceed the event and welcomed the large crowd in attendance.
Before and after the event they viewed the alphabet garden planted by students from Rockglen School and the completed gazebo built using a grant from Peavy Mart as well as the newly-planted fruit trees. Yvonne Barr from Peavey Mart in Assiniboia cut the ribbon on the gazebo to officially open the orchard. Students from the school attended and read poems. Roy Lamontagne from the Metis Association planted a tree symbolically at the entrance to the orchard.
The afternoon events included the Shine and Dine show for cars, trucks and motorcycles. The main street was packed with cars and people for most of the afternoon as some looked at the vehicles, some caught up on news with friends and some pulled up a chair to enjoy the street band. At the same time, children kept busy at the Bazooka Ball outdoor games station and children鈥檚 activities in the library.
There was no chance of going home hungry from this weekend. In addition to the pancake breakfasts, the Tourism Centre cooked up burgers and hot dogs to be followed by their special berry-topped ice cream. The Burning Hills Caf茅 featured a Filipino buffet with traditional noodle and pork dishes. The Rollin Rock Bar & Grill offered their regular menu. Multicultural foods were available at booths set up at the New Horizon Drop-In Centre. The ice cream shop served a variety of desserts.
The Canada150 committee put together a well-organized schedule of events that satisfied all visitors over the two days.
