Fifth annual event raises awareness of valuable resources
Over the summer holidays, whenever the word “education” is heard, it sparks a certain panic in the hearts of many youngsters. But Creekfest 2015, presented by Friends of Fish Creek, is a celebration combining local performers with interactive activities to educate and bring awareness to conserve Fish Creek Provincial Park for future generations.
Open to the public, this free event takes place on Sunday, July 19th, starting at noon at Bow Valley Ranch in Fish Creek Provincial Park.
“We are really excited because it’s our fifth year,” says Chris Lalonde, communications co-ordinator for Friends of Fish Creek. “It’s going to be a lot bigger and a lot better than previous years.”
This year’s activities include music from Juno-award winning Peter Puffins Whale Tales, local musician Alex Boisselle and performances by award-winning theatre troupe Parks Canada’s Mountain WIT and Coyote Kids Theatre who will perform The Muskrat’s Tail. Demonstrations from local artists and an obstacle course will also be at the event.
Children line-up to enter an obstacle course at the fun-filled event.
Photo courtesy of Friends of Fish CreekFor those over the age of 18, tickets are available for a raffle draw with a total prize value of $800. Some of the prizes include a private minibus tour and birding course at Fish Creek Provincial Park, tickets to A Taste of Autumn, and a Bow Valley Ranche Restaurant Gift Card.
Visitors are also invited to learn about local watersheds in the day targeted to celebrate water conservation.
“In Calgary we’re fortunate to have these bodies of fresh water available to us” Lalonde says, “and we need to protect them and know where they come from and know where they go. That’s why it’s important on a global scale to protect the fresh water that we have.”
As part of the Friends’ Watershed Public Awareness Campaign, Creekfest has the central goal of preserving the park as the city grows, Lalonde adds.
“The more we can create a community of informed park users, we will be able to protect the park more. The park is not going to stay the same but it’s going to develop at a rate that allows it to be maintained over the years for future generations.”
Presented by Friends of Fish Creek, Creekfest is an interactive and educational event.
Photo courtesy of Friends of Fish CreekSchedule of Events:
12:00 – 12:30 p.m.: Opening Ceremonies with Alberta Parks Representative Graham Sucha MLA Calgary-Shaw, Richard Gotfried MLA Calgary-Fish Creek, and a performance from Alex Boisselle.
1:00 – 2:00 p.m.: Coyote Kids Theatre presents A Muskrat’s Tail
2:30 – 3:30 p.m.: Parks Canada’s Mountain WIT
3:30 – 4:00 p.m.: Yoga Session with Birds of a Feather Yoga
4:00 – 4:45 p.m.: Peter Puffin’s Whale Tales
4:50 – 5:00 p.m.: Raffle Draw and Closing Ceremonies
You can find more information about the event or purchase raffle tickets at www.friendsoffishcreek.org/event/creekfest
To contact the editor responsible for this story; ahardstaff-gajda@cjournal.ca
Thumbnail photo courtesy of Friends of Fish Creek