Planning for months and months in advance,
perusing past year’s programs, events and activities,
brainstorming for relevant, innovative ideas,
networking, imploring over-extended volunteers,
attempting to recruit new ones,
reviewing feedback,
partnering and then
digging in for the 39th consecutive year
---That’s what went into the winter stages of planning the Alma Celebration Days summer activities this year.
perusing past year’s programs, events and activities,
brainstorming for relevant, innovative ideas,
networking, imploring over-extended volunteers,
attempting to recruit new ones,
reviewing feedback,
partnering and then
digging in for the 39th consecutive year
---That’s what went into the winter stages of planning the Alma Celebration Days summer activities this year.
And then it was over in a flash; a flurry of festive activity for the entire family.
Included in the traditional favourites was the annual themed parade down Main Street. This year’s was The Spirit of Alma and 50 Years of the Canadian Flag. Red and white participants were bedizened with whatever they could use to impress the judges, including historical Canada Flags on loan from the Albert County Museum.
By popular demand, and growing participation for the past 15 years, the annual Cake Walk was relocated to accommodate the crowds and held in the large Alma Activity Centre main floor. Waiting at the door for the start, families of all ages smacked their lips and craned to see which beautiful cake they would choose if their lucky number was called. Monies raised are always returned to the community for a special charitable effort.
Included in the traditional favourites was the annual themed parade down Main Street. This year’s was The Spirit of Alma and 50 Years of the Canadian Flag. Red and white participants were bedizened with whatever they could use to impress the judges, including historical Canada Flags on loan from the Albert County Museum.
By popular demand, and growing participation for the past 15 years, the annual Cake Walk was relocated to accommodate the crowds and held in the large Alma Activity Centre main floor. Waiting at the door for the start, families of all ages smacked their lips and craned to see which beautiful cake they would choose if their lucky number was called. Monies raised are always returned to the community for a special charitable effort.
Record-breaking attendance for the third consecutive Chowder Cook-Off encouraged competitors to ladle out their best for the nearly 300 tasters voting in two categories: Commercial and Individual. Gleaming prizes on display showed the voters just what the chefs were competing for, and visitors from all over the world and Canada– some returning just for the event – sampled each variety.
This year’s winners in the commercial category were:
1st place: The Tides Restaurant,
2nd place: The Alma Boat House Restaurant,
3rd place: The Alma Lobster Shop.
Winners in the individual category were:
1st place: Barbara Gebuhr on behalf of the Chipoudy Communities Revitalization Committee,
2nd place; Melissa Butland with Kay Duffy,
3rd place: Rhonda Lee Rossiter family.
Remarks left at the end of the evening were, “Can’t wait until next year!” “The best $10 I ever spent”, and “I might enter next year, those are amazing prizes!”
This year’s winners in the commercial category were:
1st place: The Tides Restaurant,
2nd place: The Alma Boat House Restaurant,
3rd place: The Alma Lobster Shop.
Winners in the individual category were:
1st place: Barbara Gebuhr on behalf of the Chipoudy Communities Revitalization Committee,
2nd place; Melissa Butland with Kay Duffy,
3rd place: Rhonda Lee Rossiter family.
Remarks left at the end of the evening were, “Can’t wait until next year!” “The best $10 I ever spent”, and “I might enter next year, those are amazing prizes!”
The Duck Race on the Salmon River was revived from distant memory. Hundreds of little yellow rubber ducks were floated down at low tide with help of Fresh Air Adventure Kayakers who rescued confused ducks caught on the shore or floating upstream. Cheers were heard from the bridge and along the shore, as anyone who purchased a lucky duck number was rooting for the generous cash prize! Not only the first and second duck to cross the line won, but the LAST duck, too!
Many other activities were held throughout the village, but what felt good for the planners about the overall week/weekend of events was that they were all inclusive for the whole family. No prohibitive expense was needed to enjoy and engage the entire family while creating traditional and lasting memories. “Dad spent 10 minutes trying to get that bean-bag through the holes at the bag-toss event at the Molly Kool Centre. He beats me at Mortal Kombat, but he couldn’t at this!” The bag toss event (held last year for the first time) was moved indoors this year due to the weather.
Event planners were prepared and the Fundy Youth Team volunteers from Hillsborough rallied with enthusiasm welcoming about 50 prize-winning families.
Many other activities were held throughout the village, but what felt good for the planners about the overall week/weekend of events was that they were all inclusive for the whole family. No prohibitive expense was needed to enjoy and engage the entire family while creating traditional and lasting memories. “Dad spent 10 minutes trying to get that bean-bag through the holes at the bag-toss event at the Molly Kool Centre. He beats me at Mortal Kombat, but he couldn’t at this!” The bag toss event (held last year for the first time) was moved indoors this year due to the weather.
Event planners were prepared and the Fundy Youth Team volunteers from Hillsborough rallied with enthusiasm welcoming about 50 prize-winning families.
Then local kids, visitors, campers, grandkids, even pets joined in the Canada Day Children’s Red and White Parade, O Canada sing along, and cake at the Village Square. Mayor Kirstin Shortt provided the noisemakers, and families of all sizes and ages had Main Street to themselves – feeling pretty important as flagmen stopped all traffic just for them – going from Cleveland Place to the Village Square. This year’s participation of ALL ages was the biggest yet!
The most anticipated spectacle of the weekend was the amazing fireworks display conducted by the volunteers at the Alma Fire Department. Set off at the beach just as darkness fell, the cheers from all viewing vantage points could be heard. Oohs, Ahhhs, and “RIGHT ON CANADA!” were audible even over the booms and thunderous cracks of the relentless production. No matter where onlookers took in the show, it was a fabulous way to conclude the weekend’s activities and Canada Day holiday.
The holiday has passed, but visitors from all over the world continue to visit Alma, Albert County, and the Fundy area. We’re ambassadors to their experiences – the Alma Celebration Days is almost like a reception to a new season of welcoming our global guests. It’s a way to put in the hearts and minds of all those who spend time here that it’s a celebration of the devotion of those who are fortunate enough to live and work here.
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