COCHRANE— Providing Cochranites with a passport to adventure, Cochrane Immigrant Services Committee is hosting an event designed to encourage people to explore Cochrane’s rich cultural mosaic.
The committee has been working on The Amazing Cochrane Culture Hunt, taking place on Sunday (Sept. 27), since May, said Cochrane Immigrant Services Committee member Jackie Shier.
It has been exciting putting the scavenger hunt together while balancing the logistical challenges created by COVID-19.
“This would be fabulous for families, especially for parents that are homeschooling and they want to teach their kids a little bit about diversity,” Shier said. “It’s a fun afternoon to spend learning about what’s right here in the community.”
In the past, Cochrane Immigrant Services has typically hosted events in conjunction with Alberta Culture Days.
Last year's Culture Fest at the Lions Event Centre marked their biggest event to date, Shier said. The festivities saw around 700 people attend the event featuring 16 different cultures.
“People really enjoyed coming and spending the afternoon and learning about the diversity that is here in Cochrane,” Shier said. “We had such great feedback from everyone.”
Based on the success of last year it became essential to ensure they were able to host a cultural festivities this year, she said.
The Amazing Cochrane Culture Hunt will be a celebration with a twist, she said, as the cultures will all be featured in different secret locations to maintain social distancing.
The day will showcase nine different cultures and begins and ends at the Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre parking lot.
The timing at each spot on the scavenger hunt has been carefully choreographed to ensure there are never too many people in a location at a time, Shier said, as part of COVID-19 public health measures. She added each stop will be about a five to ten-minute visit to learn something about the featured culture.
At each stop on the scavenger hunt, participants will be provided clues to help guide them on the next leg of their journey.
“We thought this would be a fun and engaging way [to learn],” Shier said. “They still get to go and learn something about culture by visiting the various stops.”
Shier added she recommends those who participate in the hunt keep an open mind and bring their sense of humour on their journey.
“You may be asked to try something that you’ve not tried before,” she said with a laugh.
Shier noted they are encouraging cohorts to participate in the scavenger hunt as they will need to travel to different locations in town together via a vehicle.
It was important to feature and celebrate the diverse cultures that are part of Cochrane’s vibrant social fabric, Shier said, because it builds a stronger community.
“Featuring other cultures promotes understanding. People can come and learn about their neighbours. Perhaps, that will promote more tolerance and inclusion here in Cochrane,” Shier said. “Unfortunately, people do face racism in our town. So, getting to know your neighbor and their culture and their history and getting to know them as people, people you share this community with, hopefully, will build respect for them.”
The Amazing Cochrane Culture Hunt takes place on Sunday (Sept. 27) from 1 to 5 p.m. Teams participating in the hunt must register before the deadline on Thursday (Sept. 24).
To participate in the Amazing Cochrane Culture Hunt sign up online at eventbright.com. Email [email protected] or visit Newcomers Cochrane Facebook Page for more information.
