The Town of Westlock’s 100th anniversary homecoming celebration is finally here and for many that means July 1-3 will be filled with food music and friends.
Modeled after a traditional high-school homecoming, organizers have put out the call to residents of Westlock, former and current, to revisit the town and for a weekend that looks as much back in time as it does forward.
“I’ve always thought of Westlock as my hub. Getting to know everyone here and the people who were born and bred here, just hearing their stories and the stories of the people who have made an impact on the town has made me feel like a part of the community,” said 100th Anniversary spokesman Summer Halliday.
One-hundredth Anniversary Committee chair and former mayor Shirley Morie said that although many will attend the festival simply for the food, there will be activities across town all weekend.
“I’m excited with all of the things we have going on. Something like this only happens once every 100 years.”
Included in the celebrations will be the town’s largest ever fireworks display on Canada Day at 11 p.m. at the Rotary Spirit Centre, followed by a traditional homecoming dance on Saturday.
The dance will feature a reunion of rock band Sable Ridge and dance band The Emeralds, both of whom earned their stripes playing around the area.
The reunion, she said, is fitting considering the theme of the weekend is homecoming and many will also be attending the official celebrations to meet face-to-face with descendents of town founder William Westgate and several other pioneer families who will be in attendance.
“We have some special, local people coming,” Morie said. “Everyone should turn out.”
The most important part of the weekend, Halliday added, will be that residents, past and present, get the chance to share in the event with anyone they hold dear.
“It’s a part of our history and we’re really excited to share it with all of our loved ones,” Halliday said.
For more on this weekend’s celebration, plus a number of stories and photos detailing Westlock’s first 100 years, check out the special 24-page homecoming edition included with this Westlock News and uploaded to this website.
