Fireworks will help kick off Jamboree Days

Picture Butte’s annual Jamboree Days celebration, which coincides with Harvest Days at the Prairie Tractor and Engine Museum, delivers a wide-variety of fun-filled activities for the entire family. Jamboree Days 2014 is being held throughout Picture Butte Friday through Sunday, with this year’s theme “Water is life — Irrigation in Southern Alberta.” The three-day event includes a parade, plenty of activities for kids, a bench fair and fireworks.

“There’s so many highlights of Jamboree Days but the slip and slide of the fire department has proved immensely popular and also for the kids the family fun day in the park. We’ve got a double-whammy there for the kids, which they really enjoy. For the bench fair, the photography is just fantastic,” said Don Becklund, parade marshall and member of the Picture Butte and District Agricultural Society. “We have just so many great photographers in the community of all ages.”

On Saturday, the 2014 Jamboree Days Parade lineup starts at 9 a.m. on the Dorothy Dalgliesh School grounds with judging at 10 a.m. and the parade will begin at 11 a.m. Following the parade the Town of Picture Butte will host a luncheon for all parade participants at the Community Centre. There are many parade classes with cash prizes awarded for first, second and third placements in each class. Registration is not required and there is no parade fee.

“We don’t do a registration. Everybody that comes goes in the parade but usually we have about 140 participants in the parade,” noted Becklund.

As for the fireworks held on Friday night, Becklund said, the town is starting to draw people from Lethbridge.

“Usually, it runs 15-20 minutes and it is sponsored by the Town of Picture Butte. We just had incredible numbers. I have no idea how many people come but some of them bring their lawn chairs and they come out and enjoy the fireworks. We’ve had such a good reception and such a great display,” said Becklund, adding the fireworks blast off at 10 p.m. near the ball parks in north Picture Butte.

Becklund has been with the Ag Society in Picture Butte since 2003 and has been an annual parade marshall since 2000.

A new addition to this year’s festivities is an open air market being held Saturday in the front parking lot at the Picture Butte High School from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“We have about 30 tables so far but they typically fill up,” said event planner Courtney Samuels, adding there are several local businesses featured at the market.

“That’s how I do my trade shows — I tend to give the local people first dibs on tables. There’s crafters and there’s multi-level marketing. We do a charity component — we raffle off the door prizes and all that money raised from raffling off the door prizes goes towards something in the community. That money stays 100 per cent within Picture Butte,” Samuels explained.

An open air market, according to Samuels, is an alternative concept, as she usually stages markets inside.

“We thought we’d try and fingers crossed — we hope the weather co-operates,” she said. Call 403-331-3878 for more information.

From Friday until Sunday there will also be a Community Slow Pitch Tournament. Contact Roger at 403-382-9513 for more information.

On Friday, prior to the fireworks, there will be a Knights of Columbus Family Street Dance from 7:30-9:45 p.m.

On Saturday, there will be a Bench Fair and Art Club Display — exhibits open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at St. Catherine’s School. Also there will be Family Fun in the Lions Park from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Free food and fun for kids. Hosted by the Picture Butte Trinity United Church. A Fish and Game 3D Archery Indoor Tournament starts at noon. Competition categories include 12 and under, youth and adult. The 12 and under competitors must be accompanied by an adult. Don’t miss Jamboree Days Pool Style from 1-5 p.m. at the Lions Aquatic Centre. Lots of fun, games and prizes. No admission for those who bring a non-perishable item for the local food bank.

Also families can take part in the ever-popular fire department Slip and Slide from 1-4 p.m. for children and adults at the Elks Hall hill.

Town of Picture Butte Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Mike Derricott said the community is fortunate to have a dedicated group from the Ag Society heading up many of the Jamboree Days activities, as the volunteers put in a lot of work to co-ordinate all the wonderful family events.

“The town works to support these efforts as much as possible by making staff and other resources available before, during and after the weekend. It is wonderful to see our current and former residents celebrating the tremendous heritage we enjoy, as members of this community. The Friday night fireworks sponsored by the town have become an exciting part of the weekend and we are happy to be once again providing that as an addition to the long list of fun-filled family friendly events,” said Derricott.

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