Western pride will be evident as Black Diamond and Turner Valley celebrate their heritage with a parade and day of festivities Saturday.
Black Diamond is hosting its annual parade, with this year’s theme celebrating western heritage, June 1 at 10 a.m. featuring marching bands, the RCMP drumming band, wagons, horseback riders, dancers, clowns, floats and various vehicles touring the streets of town.
Special events co-ordinator Kelly Tuck said spectators will have plenty to see following a good turnout for registration this year.
The festivities in Black Diamond don’t end when the parade comes to a halt. The Town is hosting an outdoor merchant market and beer garden north of the lights and pizza party with live music by Taken by Sanity in the Diamond Valley Chiropractic parking lot on Centre Avenue.
Those attending are also invited to check out the various boomtown style businesses lining Centre Avenue and Government Road before heading to neighbouring Turner Valley for Discovery Day, said Tuck.
“More and more businesses are doing outside markets, sidewalk sales and are getting on board to keep people in town after the parade,” she said.
“It draws a lot of people into the area.”
Discovery Day kicks off at 11 a.m.
Activities in Millennium Park, north of the four-way stop, include an artisan market, petting zoo, face painting, bouncy houses, dance party, wacky trikes, kid fit challenge obstacle course, 70-foot army challenge, display by Foothills Search and Rescue, balloon artists and various food trucks and charity barbecues.
“There is lots going on,” said Hazel Martin, Turner Valley community events co-ordinator. “It’s a great way for visitors to the area to come and experience Turner Valley.”
Just a walk away, a car show will be held at the Royal Canadian Legion Turner Valley Branch, a performance by Longview musicians Jim and Lynda McLennan will take place at Country Store Diner and used books will be sold at the Sheep River Library.
The Dr. Lander Memorial Swimming Pool will open to family swim at 1 p.m. with a vehicle extrication demonstration commencing in the parking lot at the same time.
Those interested in learning some history around oil and gas in the area can attend tours at the Turner Valley Gas Plant from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
One of Discovery Day’s more popular events is the Sheep Creek Arts Council’s Rhubarb Festival at the Valley Neighbours Club on Sunset Boulevard. The festival begins at 11 a.m. featuring a tea and rhubarb dessert, quilt show, bake sale and plant sale.
In the RBC parking lot, the Foothills Lions Club will run its fundraising duck derby at noon.
A shuttle bus will transport visitors between AG Foods Country Food Mart in Black Diamond and the swimming pool parking lot in Turner Valley at no cost.
For more details about the day’s festivities visit town.blackdiamond.ab.ca and turnervalley.ca
