The Oungre Memorial Regional Park’s Canada Day celebrations were once again a hit with the activities offered in the park and the musical jamboree in the afternoon and evening.
Hundreds of people attended the festivities that were held this year. They started with a pancake breakfast in the morning, followed by a community church service that were both well-attended, according to Suzanne Brown with the park.
Children’s games, face-painting, bouncey houses and other activities were offered for young people in the morning and early afternoon.
A parade through the park featured antique tractors, classic vehicles and more. The tractors and classic vehicles were on display during the day as well.
The annual music jamboree started in the afternoon. Local favourites such as the Daae Family, the Hanson Trio, the Olsons and the Rudes performed. Other acts included and the Bobby Bowen Family Band, who came from Nashville.
After a break for supper, some of the acts played a second time, and then the Jack Semple Band from Regina wrapped up the music.
Brown praised the entertainment that was offered during the jamboree.
“It was very good,” said Brown. “It was my first time being here in many, many years, and it was very enjoyable the ones I did get to see.”
Some of the acts were at the festival for the first time, and others were appearing after an absence of several years.
Fireworks wrapped up the evening. Brown noted a strong thunderstorm rolled through the area during the evening, delaying the fireworks for a while.
“I think some people actually left early, too, because of the huge black cloud that was looming overhead,” said Brown.
The feedback they have received has been very good, and the attendance was higher than last year.
“From my understanding, the gate entrance was up, and for camping, every site was filled, and I believe we had six or seven in our overflow areas.”
Canada Day celebrations also serve as an opportunity for the park to show off all that it has to offer, Brown said, as people enjoyed swimming in the pool, playing miniature golf and eating a meal or a snack at the concession stand.
