Stony Plain's New Year's Party

The 13th Annual Family Fest on December 31, 2011 will be held at Heritage Park!

Activities include:

Live Entertainment 6:00-8:30 pm
Face Painting 6:00-8:30 pm
Magician 6:00-9:00 pm
Outdoor Skating 6:00-9:00 pm
Hot Dogs & Popcorn 6:00-9:00 pm
Horse Drawn Wagon Rides 6:00 p.m.-8:30 pm
Hot Chocolate 6:00-9:00 pm
Bouncy Tent 6:00-9:00pm
Old Time Christmas at the Museum 6:00-9:00pm

FIREWORKS! 8:45 pm

Family Fest relies heavily on the donations received by our community. If you would like to be a sponsoring partner – please contact Melanie at 780-963-8591.

Come out on December 31st and see what we have to offer!

Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver

My wife and I are not this festival’s target demographic: we weren’t fans of bluegrass music, and didn’t really know much about it. We were about to get our education: we purchased the 3 day pass.

Upon arriving, the first thing we noticed was how orderly everyone was. Everything from finding a parking spot, to waiting in line for wristbands, was completely civilized. The volunteers we met on arrival were warm and welcoming.

Once in the festival area we quickly realized that we were some of the youngest people at the venue. My guess is that 75% of the festival goers are in their “golden years.” My wife and I are in our early 30′s. We started to question ourselves: do we belong here? Will we enjoy this weekend?

The answer, was yes.

First: the music is really good.  Bluegrass is great music to see live. It runs from toe-tapping, hand-clapping fiddle and banjo tunes to slow, moving ballads telling sad stories. The level musicianship is unbelievable. These guys can pick, strum and fiddle unbelievably fast.

Ironically, there is no alcohol allowed in the concert area (and no beer gardens), but every second bluegrass tune is about drinking whiskey!

Marty Stuart and The Fabulous Superlatives

My wife and I especially enjoyed Acoustic Mayhem, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, and the main attraction: Marty Stuart and the Fabulous Superlatives. Marty is a true showman, with over the top hair, and a great stage presence.  He played two energetic sets on Saturday and Sunday, as well as joining his wife, country music legend Connie Smith, for her two sets. Stuart and his band played his pop hits “Tempted” (which my wife loved) and “Hillbilly Rock,” as well as more traditional country fare. He also recaptured a humorous song he sang in 2009: “The Great Storm of Stony Plain,” about the violent hail storm that rolled in the last time he was in town.

What else can I say about the festival? The people are wonderful. We found that festival attendees, volunteers and staff were very friendly; all seemed to have that “southern charm.” You can tell that this more than a festival; this is a community.

I should also mention that the Stony Plain Heritage Park is a great venue.  You can take a walk up to the Pioneer Museum, and anywhere on the grounds, and still hear the music. My wife and I had a great meal at the Tea House that came in under $12 for the both of us.

My recommendation for people considering the festival in 2012: buy a day pass, and show up around 2-3pm. Bring your lawn chairs, a hat, sunscreen and some water. Sit, and enjoy the show. Enjoy a steak dinner on the grounds, and stay until the last curtain call at 11pm.

The Blueberry Bluegrass & Country Music Festival is being held at Homecoming Park in Stony Plain. The festival runs from July 29th-July 31st, 2011.

View from the Blueberry Bluegrass stage

This year’s lineup includes the Grascals, Marty Stuart, Connie Smith and many more.

A 3-day pass is $130. A day pass is $55. You can purchased tickets online at www.blueberrybluegrass.com. Camping is also an option at $10 per night.

Today Canada celebrates it’s 144th birthday. There are festivities planned in Spruce Grove and in Stony Plain.

How do you plan on celebrating Canada day?

Shriners

For many, the annual Rotary Parade in Stony Plain is the highlight of the rodeo.

Time: Saturday, June 4, 2011, starting at 11am
Map: The parade begins and ends at 49th ave.

In our opinion, the best place to view the parade is on 48th street, right after 57th avenue. You can park at John Paul II school, and there is lots of green space along 48th street (also known as highway 779).

Here is the complete parade route.

Update (June 4th, 2011) – Here are photos from today’s parade:

Farmers' Days Parade

Farmers’ Days, rodeo and exhibition, is Stony Plain’s biggest annual event.  This year’s event is June 3rd-5th, 2011.

The annual festivity is held at Stony Plain’s Heritage Park (formerly known as Exhibition Park).

Other popular events include Saturday’s Mayor’s Pancake breakfast (June 4th), which starts at 7:00 a.m. The Farmers’ Days parade follows starting at 11:00 a.m.  You can view the parade route here.

2011 Farmers’ Days Schedule

Friday June 3, 2011
11am – 6pm: Pioneer Tea House is Open
5pm: Gate Opens
5pm – 11pm: Stony Boyz Saloon
9pm – 11pm: Entertainment ~ Blueberry Centennial Stage
7pm – 10 pm: Kinsmen Rodeo Events

Saturday June 4, 2011
7am – 10am: Mayor’s Pancake Breakfast
8am – 7pm: Under The Big Top Market
10am – 4pm: Pioneer Museum Open
11am: Rotary Farmers’ Days Rodeo & Ex. Parade
11:30am – 1pm: AdultAm1 Wrestling Registration & Weigh In
10am – 8pm: Pioneer Tea House is Open
Noon – 11pm: Stony Boyz Saloon
Noon – 5pm: Chid |.D.
Noon – 4pm: Kids Zone
2pm – 6pm: Kinsmen Rodeo Events
5pm – 6pm: Entertainment e Blueberry Centennial Stage
7pm – 11pm: Battle Of The Bands Community Centre

Sunday June 5, 2011
10am – Sunday Church Services
11am – 4pm: Pioneer Tea House is Open
11am – 4pm: Pioneer Museum Open
Noon – 4pm: Kids Zone
Noon – 5pm: Stony Boyz Saloon
Noon – 1:30pm: Youth Arm Wrestling Registration & Weigh In
1:30pm: Youth Arm Wrestling Tournament
2pm – 6pm: Kinsmen Rodeo Events

Farmers’ Days Parade Map

New pavilion at Heritage Park in Stony Plain

Excitement and anticipation are in the air and the Town abuzz, with construction activity taking place at Heritage Park in Stony Plain. Steel columns for the Pavilion at Heritage Park – a brand-new, all-season/year-round facility – are being erected, as the new building starts to take shape.

The 21,000 square foot facility – Phase II of the Heritage Park Revitalization Project, a three- phase initiative that the Town officially launched in 2009 – is being constructed on the site of the former Toby Kazeil Pavilion, which was which was relocated to the Stony Plain & Parkland Pioneer Museum site earlier this year.. The Pavilion at Heritage Park will be the home to several community events, including the Stony Plain Farmers’ Day and Kinsmen Rodeo, the Blueberry Bluegrass Festival and the Cowboy Music, Poetry and Art Gathering.

Designers are working diligently with the Town to construct the Pavilion in a way that preserves and enhances Stony Plain’s heritage, while transforming the facility so it best serves the community and acts as a regional, year-round destination that fuels our local economy with new business and tourism.

Phase I

Phase I of the Heritage Park Revitalization Project officially commenced in June 2009 with a public groundbreaking ceremony. Funding of the $3.6 million project was sourced from all three governments: the Canada-Alberta Municipal Infrastructure Fund (CAMRIF) contributed $2,454,396, while the Town pitched in $1.2 million.

Completed in November 2009, the project featured many significant enhancements to the Park’s grounds and infrastructure, including:

• an all-weather spectator gathering area
• an improved and expanded parking surface
• a fully, brightly-lit parking lot
• a walking trail from the park site to the Heritage Museum site
• additional picnic sites
• an enlarged rodeo area
• a significant number of trees planted to create a park-like setting; general landscaping; and storm-water management upgrades.

Phase II

In early 2010, Council directed administration to initiate Phase II – the Pavilion at Heritage Park, which included conducting extensive research, developing a detailed concept design, implementing a thorough public consultation process and creating business and operational plans.

Responding to needs identified in the Leisure Services Master Plan – an indoor recreation and culture facility study jointly commissioned by the Tri-municipal administrations – the Town applied for project-funding through the Major Community Facility Program, administered by Alberta Culture and Community. In April 2010, Hon. Fred Lindsay, MLA for Stony Plain, presented a cheque on behalf of the Government of Alberta for $1.7 million to Town Council.

The Town retained Arndt Tkalcic Bengert Architects to create design plans, which Council approved in Fall 2010. Site preparation for the project commenced in February, and construction began in March.

Detailed design plans and operating models are presently being developed for Council’s consideration, and the official grand-opening is scheduled for Fall 2011.

Phase III

Construction of an estimated $8 million, year-round community centre will begin once the Pavilion at Heritage Park is completed and funding secured (the Town is lobbying the Provincial and Federal governments for funding and anticipates monetary contributions from local sponsorships and fundraising efforts).

Planning of detailed concept and architectural designs of the community centre has been underway since Fall 2010. Development of business and operational plans are also in progress. The multi-use facility will accommodate conferences, banquets, meetings, weddings and other functions.

Constructing a new community centre and pavilion on the same site reduces development costs and offers enhanced opportunities for joint-use events.

Together, these facilities will attract both citizens and visitors to Heritage Park, spurring economic development and continued interest in our community.

Looking Ahead

The Heritage Park Revitalization Project demonstrates the Town’s commitment to efficient and innovative use of resources in a way that considers the needs of both current and future generations and will provide ongoing benefits to the community for years to come.

The Town will initiate a public awareness campaign to keep citizens informed and updated about the progress of this new project. For more information, visit www.stonyplain.com.

Source: Town of Stony Plain

The Japanaid benefit concert and silent auction is just one week away!The event takes place Friday, May 13, at Spruce Grove’s Horizon Stage.

Tickets for the event are $20 and available through the Horizon Stage Box Office ( 780-962-8995 or in person at Spruce Grove City Hall) or through Ticketmaster. Be sure to get yours today!

The tremor, tsunami and the devastation that followed the March 11 Tohoku Earthquake in northern Japan have left that country in desperate need of help. An estimated 25,000 were killed. Some damage estimates are a trillion dollars. And on top of it all, the quake-damanged Fukushima nuclear power plant suffered a partial meltdown that is now making its surrounding land and sea radioactive. Japan needs our help.

Japanaid is a locally-organized benefit concert to support the effort to help Japan in its time of need. All net proceeds will go to the Canadian Red Cross’s Japan Earthquake/Tsunami Relief Fund. The Japanaid event is officially sanctioned by the Canadian Red Cross, and is sponsored by the Spruce Grove Kinsmen and a variety of local businesses.

There will be performances by country artist Eli Barsi, a familiar name to tri-area residents. Eli will be coming to her former home especially for the fundraiser, fresh off a tour of Nashville and southern U.S. states. Also performing are the talented duo The Command Sisters, who are also back from a month of gigs in Nashville, and the catchy roots-rock of Original Six, a band made up of past and present residents of the Spruce Grove area. (Read more about our performers).

There will also be a variety of excellent silent auction items to bid on.

All of this is happening at the Horizon Stage in Spruce Grove (Google Map). The show starts at 7:30 p.m. but the doors will open at 6:30 p.m. to let people have a good look at our silent auction items.

Tickets on sale now! Tickets can be bought online via Ticketmaster, or by phone and in person at the Horizon Stage Box Office, which is located in Spruce Grove City Hall. (Google Map).

“Sunset Splendour” by Sandy Schultz

The photos, “Sunset Splendour” by Sandy Schultz, “Fall Harvest” by Carmen Wandler,  and “Golden Glory” by Cindy Garneau, will be included in a Parkland County 2011  calendar. The three residents each received a prize package valued at $250 and  included a Parkland County travel safety kit, notebook, ball cap, water bottle, a Mino HD  Flip Video Camera. All photos submitted become part of Parkland County’s collection  for use in future marketing and promotional materials.

“Golden Glory” by Cindy Garneau

“I would like to acknowledge all the residents who contributed photographs throughout  the duration of the contest,” said Ostashek. “At the outset, I had set a goal of obtaining  50 photographs per phase, for a total of 200 photos suitable for our purposes. Looking  through the extensive collection, we have most definitely exceeded that goal. Thank you  again to everyone for allowing us to see Parkland County through your eyes.”  The 2011 desktop and wall calendars will be available free of charge at all Parkland  County facilities over the next few days.

“Fall Harvest” by Carmen Wandler

Star Wars Visions book

Robert Bailey normally paints portraits of World War II.  But two years ago he received a phone call with a request for art of a different kind: Star Wars.

George Lucas’ office contacted Bailey directly after visiting his website.  The paintings were being commissioned for an art book entitled Star Wars Visions.

Bailey went to work.  His first step was to re-familiarize himself with the Star Wars franchise; it had been 30 years since he’d seen a Star Wars film.  For the next 12 months he focused exclusively on Lucas’ project, and produced four canvases.  Three of the four paintings were chosen for the book.  In an even greater honor, one of the paintings, entitled Now my Enemy, was chosen for George’s personal collection.

The remaining 3 works by the Stony Plain artist will be available for auction later this year.