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Cold Lake gearing up for Canada 150

Cold Lake is celebrating Canada's 150th birthday in a big way. On July 1, the city will be a sea of red and white as residents take-in a day of family entertainment, music, and Canada Day activities.
Bif Naked will be performing at this year’s Canada Day festivities.
Bif Naked will be performing at this year’s Canada Day festivities.

Cold Lake is celebrating Canada's 150th birthday in a big way.

On July 1, the city will be a sea of red and white as residents take-in a day of family entertainment, music, and Canada Day activities.

Mayor Craig Copeland believes it's about being out with friends and family, enjoying the day and taking in Canada's 150th.

"We're Canadians. Let's celebrate our country. This is a chance for us to show how proud we are as Canadians," he expressed.

Copeland added the item that's sure to draw a big crowd to the celebration is the free concert starting at 7 p.m.

"That'll be pretty cool to have the stage set-up down at the beach and to have a local band and Bif Naked performing on the shores of Cold Lake," he said.

As the opening act, FKB is excited for the opportunity to play once again on a local stage.

"It's incredible. This is a huge celebration. It looks like everyone is going above and beyond to put on these big over the top shows and we're excited that they considered us to be a part of this. That is quite the honour," said FKB lead vocalist and bassist Drew Shalka.

In terms of what show comers can expect, Shalka said they need to be ready to have fun.

"We've added something new that we've never done before. We're hoping that it will be interesting and cool for everybody."

It's not only the local talent FKB that is ready to rock the stage in celebration of Canada's 150.

Lead vocalist for Bif Naked, Beth Torbert, can't wait to perform at the event.

"We're taking planes, trains, and automobiles to get there," she laughed. "The whole band is really excited."

Moment of Weakness and I Love Myself Today are some of the band's most popular hits.

"I think I have always written songs about my own life and loss. I love love songs. I'm a hopeless romantic. I even have some rock songs that are lyrically related to either yearning or loss."

She described the band's music as rock, and said the family-friendly show is sure to get everyone geared up for the fireworks display at dusk.

The day's events kick-off with the Canada Day fun run starting at 7:30 a.m. Runners take off from the Cold Lake Energy Centre and have the option of running five, 10, or 15-kilometres.

Down at Kinosoo Beach, the real fun will be starting with a pancake breakfast at 8 a.m.

Residents are encouraged to stick around for the parade at 10 a.m.

Following the parade will be an afternoon of family-friendly activities. Face painting, bouncy castles, balloon animals, sparkle tattoos, pony rides, a watermelon eating contest, and a caricature artist will be taking place at the beach from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For the adults, there is a volleyball tournament starting at 11:30.

The event is taking on a second purpose as a grand opening for Kinosoo Beach following the addition of the zipline and other upgrades.

Bringing the big day to a close is a special pyro-musical fireworks display.

Alana Pegg, community event programmer for the city said, "It's definitely something to celebrate. It's going to be a great family event. There's going to be a little bit of everything for everybody."

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