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Cenotaph celebration planned for Vimy July 1

If you’re looking for a celebration a little more solemn July 1, the Hamlet of Vimy is hosting the official unveiling of a cenotaph honouring the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. The ceremony starts at 2 p.m.
The Vimy Ridge Memorial in the Hamlet of Vimy will be officially unveiled July 1.
The Vimy Ridge Memorial in the Hamlet of Vimy will be officially unveiled July 1.

If you’re looking for a celebration a little more solemn July 1, the Hamlet of Vimy is hosting the official unveiling of a cenotaph honouring the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge.

The ceremony starts at 2 p.m. and is followed by a free lunch for attendees to celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday. The event is being hosted by the Vimy and District Lions Club.

The ceremony and lunch is taking place at the site of the old Vimy elementary school, prior to its demolition in 2009.

The Battle of Vimy Ridge’s anniversary was in April, but while the Vimy Lions Club did their best to host festivities, they just couldn’t get enough people out to attend.

“We couldn’t even get the cadets,” said club member Cliff Uhersky.

The Lions Club isn’t known for giving up, so instead of cancelling the celebration, they decided to combine it with this year’s Canada Day activities.

Rose Marie Landry has taken on the role of organizer for the event.

“I’m hopeful that this time it will garner enough attendance to go forward,” she said.

Advertising and ensuring that the military is represented at the event has been a primary focus for Landry.

“We’re even going to have a veteran there,” she said.

While the hamlet may not be putting on the most extravagant Canada Day 150th birthday celebration in Westlock County, what it lacks in pizzazz it gains in purpose.

“I’m hoping that everyone will come and join in and take part in the celebration,” said Landry.

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