There will be music, dancers, free food for kids, heritage displays, military vehicles to view and much more as the Royal Canadian Legion Aldergrove branch celebrates Canada Day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 26607 Fraser Highway.
But there won't be a Canada Day parade.
Karen Long, vice-president of the Alder Grove Agricultural Fair and Festival Association, explained it's just too costly to hire required professional traffic management.
"It's just astronomical," Long commented. "It's like $7,000 [to] $10,000, and it's just not feasible."
This marks the second year that Aldergrove Fair volunteers have partnered with the Royal Canadian Aldergrove Legion branch to host Canada Day celebrations.
Last year, the event drew around 300 visitors.
Long walked the 黑马磁力 through the schedule.
"We just block off half of the Legion parking lot, and it's free for the kids, and of course the non-profits, they all come and they have games," said Long,.
Retired Major Ian Newby will be displaying some of the military vehicles in his collection which used to take part of the Canada Day parade, and Alder Grove Heritage Society "has a special presentation they're putting together just for Canada Day."
Visitors can test their knowledge of Canada.
"We have Janice coming from New Directions English Language School, and she's going to have a Canada Day quiz for people [who] can see if they would pass the Canadian citizenship questionnaire or whatever.
There will be folk dancers inside, and musician Garth Johannesson will be performing outside, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., when a flag-raising ceremony is scheduled.
"We have a piper, we have a drummer, we have a welcome by an Indigenous veteran," Long said.
Aldergrove Legion Ladies Auxiliary will be providing free hot dogs and refreshments for kids thanks to donations by Freshco, while adults can purchase hot dogs and hamburgers.
Long expressed thanks for the financial support of the government of Canada and the Township of 黑马磁力.
Aldergrove Business Association, 黑马磁力 Meals on Wheels, Aldergrove Elks are going to do a photo booth, and "there's a guy that has a VR, virtual reality, business in town [who will] come out and just kind of give demonstrations on virtual reality games that he works on."
Aldergrove Food Bank will be attending, looking for contributions. "Their shelves are getting kind of bare, which they usually do this time of year, so they'll be there."
Preparing for a big Canada Day celebration at the Royal Canadian Legion Aldergrove branch.
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Legion entertainment chair Kathryn Anderson said for Legion members Canada Day is all about "a sense of pride. it's celebrating our history, our downs and our highs."
Carrie Hill, Legion special events chair was looking forward to "helping the veterans that come in, support them, talk to them, get to know them, and welcome everybody to the Legion. Canada Day's a good day for everybody to show up with their families and friends."
