Hatters enjoying a wagon ride at the Canada Day celebrations hosted by the Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede (Tiffany Goodwein/CHATNewsToday)

By Tiffany Goodwein

Hatters come out to mark Canada Day, as restrictions lift

Jul 1, 2021 | 7:49 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – It was a celebration at the Stampede grounds as people looked to celebrate Canada’s birthday.

“Honestly it is pretty exciting. Just to be out here and out again with a whole bunch of people and have this big event,” said one woman.

This also marks day one of Stage 3 of the province’s reopening plan, meaning Alberta is open for summer.

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Indoor and outdoor gathering limits are no more. And masks are no longer required, in most situations.

“Loving seeing everyone’s smiling faces,” said one woman at the Stampede.

But for some wearing, no masks was a little hard to get used to on the first day.

“I feel like I’m missing something with my outfit,” one woman said.

“It’s definitely weird because after going to school for so long and being with people without masks it is definitely a big change,” said one woman.

Hosted by the Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede. There were wagon rides, food trucks, live music and more.

“We are really excited. Everyone seems to be happy to be out, wearing no masks and gathering and seeing other people. It seems like people are having a lot of fun,” she said.

At the Kinplex there were activities hosted by the Miywasin Friendship Centre, including a market featuring Indigenous artists. Visitors got to learn how to make keepsake bags while learning more about Indigenous culture.

“There are different ways you can use them. Some call them medicine bags, some keepsake bags, and so a lot of times people can put their medicines in there and wear that to protect them,” said Chasity Cairns.

But those wanting to take part in some of the activities had to bear the blistering heat. Temperatures reached 39 C for much of the afternoon, leaving people to find ways to cool down.

“Ice cream, and lots of water and stuff and the shade definitely and the water tents are super helpful,” said one woman.

Over at the inland skatepark, dozens of skateboarders beat the heat, literally. For the Beat the Heat Skateboard Competition.

“I think it is amazing and I think that a lot of people are so happy to do something. We have a lot of out-of-town competitors that are just happy to come out and have fun,” said Chris Nickel of the Medicine Hat Skateboard Association.

The eagerness of many to come out and celebrate, proving that not even the heat could get in the way of reflecting on Canada’s birthday while re-tasting what life was like pre-pandemic.