The Town of Vegreville joined with the County of Minburn and local service organizations to celebrate Canada Day on this 150th anniversary of becoming a nation on July 1, 2017. Perogies and Jam was pleased to help coordinate musicians, dancers and other entertainers throughout the day starting with live music for the Community Breakfast at 8:00 am in the Social Centre. Local radio station Country 106 was also on live broadcast in the foyer as eager attendees came for pancakes and sausages served by Councillors of both the Town and the County and other helpers.

The entertainment today was selected to promote the four main themes of Canada 150 which are:

• Diversity and Inclusion
• Reconciliation
• Youth
• Environment

Soul Spice were first on stage with their country, gospel and Ukrainian music. They have been performing in the Vegreville area since 2000. Da’Vision by Zero were up next performing contemporary country and contemporary gospel music.

Jerrold Lemko, in his role of local Canada 150 Ambassador, welcomed the breakfast attendees to the breakfast. Anthony Whiskeyjack then provided native hoop dancing accompanied by three singers with drums. They live in the Saddle Lake and Frog Lake areas northeast of Vegreville. The Sopilka Dance group followed with traditional dances demonstrating Ukrainian heritage. The Sopilka School of Ukrainian Dance has been promoting and preserving their Ukrainian heritage for the past 32 years.

Len Babyn, representing the Knights of Columbus in Vegreville introduced Audrey Stefan who led the audience in the singing of O Canada, and introduced the dignitaries including Town Mayor Myron Hayduk and Country Reeve Roger Konieczny who followed with short speeches.

Thanks go out to the Councillors and helpers for the breakfast and the Ladies of the Royal Purple for clearing and cleaning the tables. Special thanks go to Randy Kereliuk for providing the sound system, Don Harfield as MC, and Rob Hughes for taking photographs.

Photography by Rob Hughes