Volunteers have big plans to make sure this Canada Day goes off without a hitch, but are concerned that a volunteer shortage could cause them to pare back the event. "If we don't get enough volunteers, we have to start talking about cutting activities - which we don't want to do," explained event co-ordinator Stephanie Shelstad of the host group, the Cochrane and Area Events Society (CAES). "We are low on volunteers - right now we only have about 40 per cent of the spots filled," explained Shelstad. Volunteers are asked to fill three-hour time slots, beginning at 9 a.m. for set up and running past midnight, until fireworks are over and crowds have filed out of Mitford Park. There are numerous volunteer opportunities available - from directing crowds to running games to cleaning up garbage. Beginning at 11 a.m., the family-friendly event will feature a line up of food trucks, matched by a musical line up with local country favourites TC & Company taking the main stage that evening. Daytime events include kids games and activities, pony rides and inflatables. An athlete spotlight, rustic market and Cowboy Trail Church service will also be featured. New this year is a Half Hitch Brewery-sponsored beer gardens - which Shelstad said she hopes will draw even more spectators than usual. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs and to leave pets at home. No on-site parking will be available this year. The nearest parking lot will be the lot under the bridge at Griffin Road and Highway 22, by Riverfront Park. Shuttle services will be running throughout town all day, getting families safely home before and after the 11 p.m. fireworks - which will go off to the sounds of recorded music. The successful bidder to host Canada Day 2018, CAES has co-hosted the event with the town in previous years. The town contributed $50,000 with community and corporate sponsorship support and in-kind donations covering off the rest. To sign up, visit cochraneevents.ca.
