There’s always something special about Langdon that’s apparent when you drive into this sister community of Chestermere and being at the annual Langdon Days felt like no exception. Langdon has managed to maintain its comfortableness and small town feel in a community where a lot of residents commute to the nearby city.
The fair day started with a pancake breakfast with donations for the morning meal taken to support the ongoing maintenance and building of the Community Park and playground. Pancake breakfasts have not lost their popularity over the years as evidenced by the long line of hungry diners.
The parade sported several floats, horses and wagons, vintage cars, walkers, bikers, and even balloon laden shopping carts. Participating were local businesses, community groups, individuals as well as the Indus Hockey and Ringette teams offering complementary cooling off with water guns.
The Town of Vulcan who won first overall place in the Stampede Parade joined in the fun with their elaborate and trekky Float. This year marks their 100 anniversary as a town. Got cookies to share? Join the parade. Got a prize chicken to show off? The parade is the place for you. It doesn’t matter how big or small a parade is, there is still something about it that excites us and connects us to each other through a wave from a pretty barrel racer, or a handout of candy.
The day also attracted local sportsmen and women with competitions of slo-pitch and horseshoes. YELL was on hand providing entertainment for the kids with crafts, games and a bicycle decorating contest . Live entertainment was to be found at the popular beer gardens which ran both Friday and Saturday night.
Saturday’s daytime events also featured the vendor’s market, food trucks and silent auction with over 50 items for bidding with proceeds being added to the playground fund. Rockyford Hutterite Colony which comes to the weekly Langdon Farmer’s Market was just one of the interesting booths to check out with veggies and handicrafts.
Corabella Jewellery designer Tracey Morelli showcased her unique and beautiful wire jewellery. Morelli who is self taught has turned her business into a full time venture makes these lovely pieces from bronze and copper wire, using recycled materials whenever possible. I asked her where she got her supplies from, and she replied with a laugh, “This piece is from my basement when we renovated.” This former biologist melds her stewardship and love of the environment with her creative pursuits.
Keri Graham and Kristie Mackie, board members of the Friends of Sarah Thompson Elementary School (FOSTES) were promoting their campaign to build a playground at the newly completed elementary school on the town’s east side. Graham said they have several great ideas to entice support for their project such as the Summer Playdates program at the Field House, a bottle recycling program, start up of a milk project at the school, clothing sales with the school’s logo and a continual on line auction bidding site where donations can be made anytime. This facebook page is Fostes Bidding Wars Donation. Another interesting project is a collaboration with the Ceramics Etc Fire Arts where students can create a lasting tile legacy of their elementary school years with $10 going to the playground fundraiser. Mackie said that Sarah Thompson was Langdon’s first teacher in 1892 operating the one room school house.
Langdon Fine Arts showed their support for the flood efforts with a silent auction held through the day with donated artwork from the club. Kimberly Cole who donated 2 of her pieces and signs her work as Crafty Cat said their local group has been operating for 2 1/2 years. Paul Riess is another fine artist whose work includes paint enhanced photos as well as whimsical painted pieces on maple boards. There were many incredible works available through purchase and silent auction from the local club members. If anyone would like to become part of this talented group call Riess @ (403) 619-6867.
The Kids Carnival included the ever popular array of bouncy tents and water balls which looked like a hoot hot weather or not. Sunday events rounded out the weekend with a church service from the Langdon Alliance Church and The Show N’Shine car show which will make its way to Chestermere this upcoming weekend at the Waterfest.
If you are new to the area and haven’t ventured to this warm community or you just haven’t had a chance to check it out, be sure and catch the event next year. You won’t be disappointed.
