Canada Day in Canyon will definitely be going to the dogs and horses this year, but don’t worry — the traditional Canada Day pancake breakfast (7-11 a.m.) will still kick off the 77th Canyon Park Canada Day festivities. Please check out the new park kitchen and pavilion while breakfasting — perhaps the park could be the perfect rental location for a future family reunion or wedding.
A mounted shooting demonstration, presented by the Cowboy Mounted Shooters Association of BC will start at 9:30 a.m. Mounted shooting is currently the fastest growing equestrian sport in North America. Bring earplugs — it could get noisy!
Speaking of horses, the inaugural Sweyn Gartland Memorial Horseshoe Tournament will be starting at 11 a.m. As this is the first year for this event, registration (beginning at 10:30 a.m.) will be free. The winner gets his or her name engraved on a perpetual trophy. 11 a.m. will also see the start of the Creston Valley Horse Association mounted drill team demonstration. The drill team demonstration is made up of dressage exercises consisting of straight lines, diagonals, circles and leg yields. The drill team horses represent a variety of breeds, including Andalusian, thoroughbred and draft crosses, Rocky Mountain gaited horses, and quarter horses.
The traditional “Happy Birthday, Canada” cake is being baked this year by the Golden Flour Bakery, and will be cut and served at noon. Speeches by local dignitaries and the dedication of the Canyon Park wall of recognition will follow. Meet some of the representatives from the various funding organizations who have helped make our dreams for the park a reality!
A dog agility demonstration will be presented at 12:30 p.m. by local agility trainer, and former “Super Dog” team member, Brenda Bando and her novice-title winning Sheltie, Ziva. Dog agility is a sport in which a handler directs a dog through an obstacle course in a race for both time and accuracy. Some of the agility equipment Ziva will be using will include teeter-totter, tunnels, jumps and weave poles. For a small donation ($2) to the Canyon Community Association, Bando will be happy to guide you and your dog through some basic ground work. Perhaps your dog has the makings of an agility champion!
If all of this activity is making you hungry, don’t worry as a concession stand featuring burgers, smokies and pop will run from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Top off the festivities by taking in some of the ball games in the all-day baseball tournament.
—CANYON COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION