With this year’s theme “Kicking it Country,” Picture Butte’s Jamboree Days is set to kick into gear Aug. 16-18.
“We have a lot of organizations involved – the Picture Butte Ag Society, there’s some local churches putting on some events throughout the weekend and we have the Town of Picture Butte involved,” says Eva Penner, president of the Picture Butte and District Chamber of Commerce.
This is an annual event that brings the community together, adds Penner. “We love having the volunteers come out with boots on the ground.”
“It’s always a great event,” says Penner.
Events include a baseball tournament all weekend and a street dance at the outdoor rink Aug. 16. Fireworks are also planned for the Friday night, weather and fire regulations permitting.
On Aug. 17, there will be a pancake breakfast and a country market planned in the morning. The parade begins at 11 a.m. followed by the Kids Day in the Park. A public swim takes place at the pool at 1 p.m. and a Movie in the Park will be held at 9 p.m.
“Something new this year is we are doing a country market and it will be at the same time as the pancake breakfast. It’s in the same location as the pancake breakfast, so you can come and have your breakfast and check out the vendors,” notes Penner. “We have quite a few vendors already signed up.”
In previous years, the market was held in the afternoon. “It was just a busy time. The families would be at the Kids Day in the Park, so we wanted to change that up a little bit this year.”
According to Penner, the parade route has also been changed again this year. “This has been an ongoing issue with Alberta Transportation. The main location is down Highway Avenue. We are trying to put it out there on social media and getting the word out there what the route will be.”
With the fireworks, as of publication, there is a Lethbridge County fire ban in place.
“Picture Butte is our own region when it comes to fire bans. I have not heard from the Town of Picture Butte whether they are cancelling the fireworks or not. It’s going to be on a day-to-day basis and see how the weather turns out. Of course, we want to keep everyone’s safety in our top priorities. If it does need to be cancelled, we’ve looked at rescheduling it for a future weekend when fire bans are lifted,” says Penner.
Penner adds it’s also important for southern Albertans to visit Picture Butte and see what the town has to offer. “We want to support our local shops and keep things in our community for sure.”
