Red Gala Art event

More than 100 people gathered in the Morinville Community Cultural Centre for an elegant evening on Sept. 25 to enjoy the sixth annual Paint the Town Red Gala. The event was a fundraiser for the Sturgeon Community Hospital Foundation, a recognition of Canada’s military, and the official launch to Alberta Culture Days in Morinville.   © 2015 Grant Cree photos.

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More than 100 guests attended the sixth annual Red Gala event

Guests appreciated various works of art on display in the lobby, and many participated in the silent auction to raise funds for the hospital foundation.  The ‘Paint the Town Red’ theme was conceived to show support for our military by encouraging attendees to wear red.  This hearkens back a few years to Red Friday’s – when the Canadians would wear red clothing to demonstrate support for our troops serving in Afghanistan.

Guests look at silent auction items

Brigadier-General Wayne Eyre, Commander of 3^rd Canadian Division, (based at Edmonton Garrison) was there to express his appreciation on behalf of the military.  Soldiers from the Royal Canadian Artillery Band were on stage to perform a lively variety of soul and funk songs during the evening.

Artists were present with their work on display, and 20 per cent of their art sales were donated to Sturgeon Community Hospital Foundation.  The Paint the Town Red Gala  provided everyone with an opportunity to honour our military, support a worthy cause and show their appreciation for local culture.

Member of Parliament Rona Ambrose

Brigadier-General Wayne Eyre with his wife Jennifer (right) and Gala event organizer Dolly Bolen (left).

Musicians with the Royal Canadian Artillery Band from Edmonton Garrison

Haunted Pumpkin Festival

Looking for some pre-Halloween family fun?  Visit Tam Andersen and her team at Prairie Gardens Adventure Farm, located on Lily Lake Road near Bon Accord, Alberta. On Saturday, Sept. 26, they are hosting their 21^st annual Haunted Pumpkin Festival. According to their press release, Prairie Gardens staff will show off their crop of more than 100,000 pumpkins this season.  The festival runs each weekend for the entire month of October.

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Tam Anderson, owner of Prairie Gardens Adventure Farm

Activities include walking through a gigantic corn maze with 5 km of trails to explore. Families can hop aboard a free hayride to explore a picturesque Sturgeon County farm, and ride a shuttle bus to take aim with Captain Cannon.  There's a scarecrow band, pumpkins galore, pumpkin painting, puppet shows and pumpkin pie.  Be sure to check out ‘Boo’n Accord Ghost Town, bale mazes, mini turbo Karts, the Lost Lemon Gem Mine, Grandmas’ Fudgery and snap photos of the Goats on the Roof.

Gigantic corn maze at Prairie Gardens Adventure Farm

For more information, visit www.prairiegardensadventurefarm.com.  Or phone Tam Andersen,
Director of Fun, at
Prairie Gardens & Adventure Farm:  780-921-2272.

Prairie Gardens & Adventure Farm is a family operated agri-tourism operation located in scenic Sturgeon County, just 25 km north of the City of Edmonton, Alberta. Attracting over 50,000 visitors each season, this award winning farm has welcomed over 1 million guests since it was established in 1956. The guest demographic is extended families, with grandparents, parents and children from the Edmonton region, and across the province of Alberta. © 2015 Grant Cree photos.

A field of pumpkins at Prairie Gardens Adventure Farm

Collision in Sturgeon County

Was driving to an assignment last night and happened on a motor vehicle collision in Sturgeon County.  It was at the intersection of Sturgeon Road and Starkey Road.  Although it happened a few minutes earlier, first responders from Namao Fire Department and Morinville RCMP were already at the scene.  Fortunately no injuries, and the RCMP described it as a ‘minor fender-bender’.  Yes, I blurred the licence plate on the truck cuz that’s how I roll.   © 2015 Grant Cree photos.

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CTV Edmonton – behind the scenes!

Yesterday I had the opportunity to visit the CTV Edmonton studios to watch news anchor Marni Kulhmann and her team in action as they presented the lunch-hour news.  I was on a freelance assignment covering a group of visitors being hosted by several friendly CTV staffers.  Call me a kid at heart, but this stuff never gets old for me!  Many thanks to CTV Edmonton for opening their doors to the public and patiently answering all kinds of questions. © 2015 Grant Cree photos.

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Tree dedicated to Queen Elizabeth II

Royalty enthusiasts and local dignitaries gathered last Saturday morning at the Community Gardens in The Village at Griesbach to witness the unveiling of a tree dedicated to Queen Elizabeth II.  The ceremony was hosted by the Monarchist League of Canada (Edmonton/North Alberta Branch) as part of celebration activities for the historic reign of Queen Elizabeth II.

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City of Edmonton public works staff recently planted the Gladiator crab apple tree for all to enjoy, and a plaque nearby describes the significance.  Representatives attended from the following organizations: Monarchist League, Royal Commonwealth Society, Royal Over-Seas League, St. George of England and the Alberta Historical Society.  The site is located at the intersection of Sir Arthur Currie Way and Pegasus Boulevard NW, Edmonton. © 2015 Grant Cree photos.