photo courtesy of Rosanne Fortier, Vegreville News Advertiser

Vegreville celebrated its first Alberta Culture Days event at the Public Library on Saturday, September 27. Families were treated to dancers, leaf rubbing, face painting, children’s crafts and music performances throughout the afternoon.

The auditorium was already a scene of enthusiasm as visual artists and organizers started setting up the gym as early as 10 am. By noon, there were musicians playing, artists were displaying their talented artwork, and there was a face already being painted. What a fun way for families to spend a cool autumn day!

Young Winnie Lange was a real crowd pleaser and started off the music with her father Ralph on guitar. The Promin Ukrainian Dancers performed group and solo dances to everyone’s enthusiastic response. Peter Arnold and Don Harfield sang duets including a rendition of Dave and Chris Hadfield (Canada’s favourite astronaut) song “In Canada”. Malachi Barter accompanied by his father Mike, and Bob Ashmead, played Ukrainian music and fiddle tunes.

Jacquie Fenske, Vegreville and Fort Saskatchewan MLA brought greetings from the Province, and Dave Berry, Vegreville Councillor brought greetings from the Town. It’s great that they both took time from their busy schedules to demonstrate their support for this important cultural event, and connect with the artists and families!

Local young musicians, Faith Swedgan and Jared Fell each brought their own acoustic versions of songs including their own compositions. Paul Fike from Holden and Wayne Camantigue each graced the stage and connected with the audience as the afternoon progressed.

While this was going on, there were young budding musicians working away in the Library Meeting room making fun shaker instruments. By 4 pm they were proud to show off their shakers, guitars and have fun singing songs including “The Wheels on the Bus” and “Old MacDonald Had a Farm” with the accompaniment of Don Harfield and Peter Arnold.

Music continued to fill the auditorium with Lorne Fill, Bailey Stefan, and Winnie Lange finishing off the day. Vegreville is proud of its local musicians, dancers, and artists and it showed!

Credit for the day’s success goes to Donna Williams and Carmen Heisler of the Public Library who did a great job of planning this event weeks in advance, and involved Marg Varga of the Vegreville Visual Arts group, Connie Bay of the Promin Ukrainian Dancers and MC for the day, Don Harfield of Perogies and Jam.

Thank you for coming to this first annual Alberta Culture Days event in Vegreville!

Photo Gallery
Photographs by Don Harfield and Marg Varga