Heritage Day festivities going at Gem of the West

By Nikki Jamieson
Sunny South News

The Gem of the West Museum in Coaldale will be hosting Heritage Day festivities for the second year.

“We’re really just doing an open house,” said Carmen Vermeulen, manager of the museum. “ (We) just felt that we needed another activity during the summer; there’s a long stretch of time between, usually we have events in the fall and winter, and we needed something for the summer.

“Our exhibits are focused very much on the heritage and history of our town, and the different cultural groups in the area, so we wanted to celebrate that as well.”

Activities featured throughout the day include a scavenger hunt in the lower level of the museum, ice cream making and demonstrations in the blacksmith shop. Heritage-themed crafts will also be available for kids to makes and, if the weather is good, jump rope and sidewalk chalk will also be available.

The Heritage Day event goes on Monday, Aug. 6, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Admission to the festivities is by donation.

Last year, about 100 people attend the festivities, and Vermeulen hopes this year’s event will be just as successful.

“It’s something good for families that day, to come and visit the museum.”

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