Happy Monday Chestermere,
It was an incredible weekend of community events in Chestermere this weekend. On Friday September 6, the Chestermere Food Bank held their annual Golf Tournament. I was honoured to have the opportunity to MC this event where they raised almost $12000. Thank you to everyone who came out and played in the tournament and sponsored the event through donations, silent auction items and raffle items. There is a great video floating online of one of our firefighters, Joel Fournie, making an outstanding put for eagle. The representatives from our Fire Department further did us proud by winning the prize for most honest team. Great job to all the staff and volunteers of the Chestermere Food Bank for putting on such a great event.
Saturday followed up with three more great events. The first was the annual Country Fair Parade. City Council was dressed up in their best 80’s outfits with Councillors Schindler and Sandboe dressed as Wayne and Garth. Deputy Mayor Grant’s outfit was so good that even his own didn’t recognize him. The Multicultural Youth Society of Chestermere won the award for best parade entrant. Thank you to everyone who participated in the parade and thank you to those who were able to make it out to watch.
The parade was followed by the annual Country Fair. This was the 35th anniversary of this event and it was another huge success. It featured all the country fair classics including the Red Ribbon competitions, Mutton Bustin’, Harvest Market, and more. Thank you to the Chestermere Lions Club for hosting the pancake breakfast and to the Chestermere Whitecappers for the $1 ice cream cones, bake sale, and market. In addition to Mutton Bustin’, the rodeo portion featured a Sheep Herding Demonstration, Junior Bull Riding, Ladies Bronc Riding, and Charity Bull Riding. The Charity Bull Riders raised almost $6000 for various organizations. Intermission saw part 2 of the story between Dr. Giggles Zombies and the Guns of the Golden West. Additionally, Country Fair featured Kids Zone, food trucks, and the musical acts on the Stampede Stage provided by Create Kids Fest. Thank you to the Rocky View Chestermere Board of Directors for all the work you do every year in pulling off this event and for all the other volunteers who jump in to help.
The Rec Centre certainly was a busy place on Saturday. In addition to the Country Fair and all the events associated with that, this weekend was the kick off to hockey tryouts. It was great to swing by the arena and see the young hockey players start to chase their playing aspirations for the upcoming season.
Then, later Saturday afternoon, was Hindu Festival hosted by the Multicultural Youth Society of Chestermere. Hindu Festival is a celebration of the culture and tradition of various states of India and various other Hindu communities around the world. The festival further focuses on the importance of water in our lives as one of the five essential elements of life and how important water is for humans, plants and animals and for the health of our planet overall. There are some incredible videos and photos online of the fire ceremony that was held at the end of the celebration. Thank you to everyone who was able to participate and attend and thank you to the Multicultural Youth Society of Chestermere for partnering with various departments with the City of Chestermere.
Tomorrow Council is back in Council Chambers. One of the highlights for tomorrow will be the appointment of various members from our community to committees. Council is excited to get our committees back up and running and further involving our community in helping set the direction of Chestermere.
Thanks Chestermere and I look forward to bringing another update to you on Friday.