National Tartan Day is being celebrated Apr. 6, as Lethbridge celebrates the 25th anniversary of the City of Lethbridge tartan.
The Lethbridge Weavers invite you to join in the fun.
Lethbridge’s tartan is a unique design created and registered by the local organization with the Scottish Tartan Society in 2000.
The journey of the City’s tartan began in 1998, when a motion was passed by the organization to design an official tartan reflecting the city’s crest colours. After months of research, collaboration and creativity, the organization presented the project to City Council, earning their approval. Over the following year, members proposed at least 16 designs and wove samples, ultimately selecting the final tartan by consensus in 1999.
In 2000, the organization submitted an application to the Scottish Tartan Society, and City Council officially endorsed the design.
The tartan’s colours tell the story of Lethbridge: green for trees and grass, gold for ripe harvest fields, red for the RCMP’s history, white for snow, yellow for the sun and canola fields, light blue for clear skies, steel blue for the mountains, black for coal mining and pink for the Alberta wild rose.
Between 2001 and 2005, the organization partnered with commercial weavers to produce ties, scarves, fabric lengths and kilted skirts for members and the City.
Today, these items remain a cherished part of the community’s heritage. Select pieces will be available for purchase at the Weaving Room during the Casa Christmas Sale November 14-15.