Join Alberta Culture Days and help create the largest celebration of arts and culture in the country!

Alberta Culture Days is looking for dedicated community members, sponsors, volunteers, venues, artists, actors, musicians, filmmakers, bands and community groups to create fun and engaging public events such as plays, art exhibitions, music performances, film screenings, dance shows, open mics, culinary events, cultural displays, workshops, and competitions. The sky is the limit! The events will take place from September 30-October 2 in celebration of arts, culture, and the heritage of our region, province and country!

Alberta Culture Days began in 2008 as Alberta Arts Days, a one day event to recognize the value of Alberta’s arts and cultural communities. Since then, it has expanded into a vibrant, three day event celebrated province wide which helped inspire the creation of Culture Days – a pan Canadian movement to raise awareness and participation in the arts and cultural life of our communities.

If you would like to get involved in this unique festival and make Wood Buffalo the largest celebration site in the country please join our first planning meeting this Tuesday, March 22, 7:00pm-8:00pm at the Future Forward Building, 9717 Franklin Avenue. For more information please contact Michael Beamish, michael.beamish@rmwb.ca, 780-788-1498.

Things to Do in McMurray for New Years Eve

Zimbabwe New Year’s Party

When: December 31, 6pm-1am Where: 

Where: Fort McMurray Golden Years Society 

The Zimbabwe Fort McMurray Community Association (ZFMCA) would like to invite the community at large; Friends, Relatives, Neighbours and Visitors to our New Year’s Party. For tickets or more information please call Mr. Mugodo (780) 607-2148. 

The CRAZE

When: December 31, 6:00pm to 9:00pm

Where: Suncor Community Leisure Centre and Shell Place

The CRAZE features a variety of free family events and activities for youth and adults of all ages and will run from Noon until 6:00 pm at the Suncor Community Leisure Centre and Shell Place, culminating with the New Year’s Eve Fireworks. Due to this special event the Suncor Community Leisure Centre and Shell Place will open at Noon on December 31. The event will feature the following:

· Main Stage entertainment presented by Mix 103.7 FM
· Balloon drop presented by Don Scott Law Office
· Oil Barons practice, public skate and autograph session
· Speed Climb and Obstacle Course at the Climbing Wall
· Wipeout 2016 at the Syncrude Aquatic Centre
· Free public skate
· Kid’s Playzone
· Learn to Curl with the Oil Sands Curling Club
· Movie Zone with the Wood Buffalo Public Library
· Fireworks
· Face painting, balloon artists, bouncy castles and craft carnival

For additional details please contact ONE REC, info@onerec.ca

DJ D-NYCE PRESENTS: 2016 NEW YEAR'S PARTY

When: December 31, 2015 from 9:30pm to January 1, 2016 at 2:00am

Where: Stonebridge Hotel

Come and Celebrate the New Year and DJ D-Nyce Birthday at Stonebridge Hotel Banquet Room for tickets or additional information please phone (780) 743-3301 or email fmmdeskmanager@stonebridgefortmac.com.

Royal Canadian Legion, New Years’ Eve Ball

When: December 31, 5:30pm to 11:45pm

Where: Royal Canadian Legion, 9317 Huggard Street

Come to the Royal Canadian Legion New Year’s Eve Ball featuring live music by local band Old Skool. Tickets are $75.00 per person and includes a prime rib buffet from 5:30pm-7:30pm. The event will be held in banquet room upstairs at the legion. For additional information please contact the Royal Canadain Legion, 780-743-2329, royalcanadianlegion@shaw.ca.

BAILEY'S PUB 2016 NEW YEAR'S KARAOKE BASH

When: December 31, 9:00pm to January 1, 2:00am

Where: Bailey’s Pub, 9713 Hardin St.

You are invited to, Bailey's Pub 2016 New Year's Karaoke Bash. There will be lots of prizes and drink specials throughout the evening. For additional details please visit there website, www.baileyspubfortmac.com or contact the Stonebridge Hotel (780) 743-3301, email fmmdeskmanager@stonebridgefortmac.com.

Club NV

Dance into the New Year at Club NV featuring the most requested songs of 2015! Admission includes your chance to win $1,000.00 cash. Doors open at 10pm.

Whatever you do this New Year's Eve please do it responsibly and don't drink and drive! 

Three Great Events to Ring in the Holiday Season.

Get ready for three great events to ring in the holiday season. Join us this December for Santa Claus Parade and Lights of Christmas, presented by Country 93.3. Come down to the Elves’ Workshop at the Wood Buffalo Regional Library, our community partner.

We’ll be having ourselves a Holly, Jolly Christmas this year.

Elves’ Workshop

Presented by the Wood Buffalo Regional Library, kids can become an honorary Santa’s elf by visiting different activity stations. Receive an elf certificate after completing your elf passport and be entered to win a gift basket. Activity stations will include, games, Spin the Elf, Elf Plinko, Elf Match Up, Elf Booger, Reading with Santa, Elf on the Shelf Search, cookie decorating, hot chocolate and crafts. Other elements available are face painting and two performances of Yuletide Yeti presented by Odd-Lot Puppetry Co. at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. (limited space for each show).

Location: Wood Buffalo Public Library (MacDonald Island Park, 1 C.A. Knight Way, Fort McMurray) 

Time: Noon to 4:30 p.m.

Find out more about the Elves' Workshop at wbrl.ca/events

Lights of Christmas

This year we’re starting a new holiday tradition as we host Lights of Christmas in Jubilee Plaza.

The Lights of Christmas event officially kicks off the holiday season with a family bonfire, hot chocolate, caroling, ice skating (weather permitting) and a visit from the Mayor and Santa. 

This is an opportunity to gather prior to the Santa Claus Parade and celebrate the holiday season.

Location: Jubilee Plaza (9909 Franklin Ave., Fort McMurray) 

Time: 5 p.m.

Santa Claus Parade

Watch Santa and his helpers as they float through downtown Fort McMurray for this annual Christmas tradition. The theme of this year’s parade is Holly Jolly Christmas.

Location: Franklin Avenue (from Prairie Loop Boulevard to Riedel Street).

Time: 6:30 p.m.

Follow us on Social Media

Twitter: @RMWoodBuffalo   Facebook: RMWB

For more information please visit www.rmwb.ca/living/Events-and-Festivals/Santa-Claus-Parade-Presented-by-Country-93-3.htm  

Thanks to Our Sponsors!

Come Celebrate Diwali

Hindu Cultural Society of Fort McMurray is pleased to announce its biggest event of the year Diwali Party this Saturday at the Quality Inn Hotel. Deepavali or Diwali is one of the biggest and the brightest of all Hindu festivals. It's the festival of lights (deep = light and avali = a row i.e., a row of lights) that's marked by four days of celebration, which literally illumines the country with its brilliance, and dazzles all with its joy. Each of the four days in the festival of Diwali is separated by a different tradition, but what remains true and constant is the celebration of life, its enjoyment and goodness.

Tickets are now open to non-members, there are only a few left so grab yours now by contacting Prasad Gudivada, (780)792-6048, email: gvtprasad@gmail.com.

Carry some loose change with you and walk out with a big prize by participating in our raffle draw. Lucky draws, gifts, exotic Indian cuisine & live Bollywood music by Shweta Subramanium are the highlights of the event.

Ticket Details:

Adult Member 12 yrs & above -- $40

Child Member 5-11 yrs -- $20. However if kids under 5yrs need a seat than ticket needs to be purchased.

Adult Non- Member 12 yrs & above -- $50

Child Non-Member 5-11 yrs -- $25. However if kids under 5yrs need a seat than ticket needs to be purchased.

Program Details:

 5.30 to 8.00 pm -- Snacks, Opening Announcements, Kids Performance, Felicitation of Sponsors & Chief Guests

 8.00 to 9.00 pm -- Dinner

 9.00 to 12.00 pm -- Live Performance by Shweta Subramanium & band & dance floor

Botswana Independence Celebration

Celebrate in 2017

The Government of Canada recognizes that Canadians are eager to celebrate Canada 150 in meaningful ways. We’re proud to join you in this important celebration.

Canada 150 programming provides a framework designed to maximize opportunities for Canadians to engage by participating in celebration events and initiatives and by contributing grass-roots ideas and energy within their own communities. In a country as vast and diverse as Canada, everyone has something unique and important to contribute.

The Canada 150 theme is Strong. Proud. Free. — three words that define and characterize present-day Canada.

• A Canada that is a strong model and leader in the world with one of the most robust economies.
• A Canada that is proud of its identity, diversity, innovation, and achievements as well as its natural beauty and resources.
• A Canada that is free with an open, diverse and pluralistic society. This theme enables us to connect with our past, embrace the present, and build toward the future.

Programming will support and promote activities that align with the Canada 150 vision, which includes three elements: 

• Giving Back to Canada: Canadians will be challenged to dream about what the future holds for the next 150 years, and to give back to our country, providing meaningful change and lasting legacies for future generations.

• Honouring the Exceptional: Exceptional Canadian people, places, achievements and events will be showcased to help shape Canada’s leaders of tomorrow.

• Celebrating and Bringing Canadians Together: Canadians and their communities will have opportunities to celebrate together and build a deeper understanding of Canada, its people and what it means to be Canadian.

What the Government of Canada is doing

The Government of Canada is inviting Canadians to play a central role in shaping celebrations for the country’s 150^thanniversary of Confederation.

The Canada 150 Fund

The Canada 150 Fund is a three-year funding initiative that aims to promote Canadian values, culture and history, generate national pride and bring citizens together to celebrate the country’s 150^th anniversary of Confederation. This Fund complements existing programs in the Department that may also offer funding opportunities for projects related to the Canada 150^th.

The Canada 150 Logo

The Government of Canada held a contest to engage young Canadians in the celebration of Canada 150. The Canada 150 Logo Design Contest was a competition open to Canadian post secondary students who were invited to create the official logo for the 150^th Anniversary of Confederation in 2017.

Road to 2017

Since 2012, the Government of Canada has been highlighting nation-building anniversaries that have contributed to building momentum on the Road to 2017 and Canada’s 150^th anniversary. These events include the Bicentennial of the War of 1812, the anniversaries of the First and Second World Wars, the Fathers of Confederation and the 200th anniversary of the birth of Sir John A. MacDonald and the 50th Anniversary of the National flag.

Learn more about the Road to 2017 milestones.