For more than 50 years, Bragg Creek Days has been bringing the community together to celebrate with a parade, music, food and activities. This year, the Bragg Creek Community Association (BCCA) is bringing the annual event back to its roots July 20, according to Christine Pollard, event and program manager.
Pollard said Bragg Creek Days first started out as a “volunteer appreciation” event, but has grown to celebrate the community as a whole.
“Over the years, we've tried different iterations. We've done a lot of fundraising and brought in rented games and asked for sponsorships and things like that,” she said. “This year, we're really looking to go back to our roots and make it a true community event – for the community, by the community.”
For BCCA, Pollard said, that means maintaining the event’s traditional focus on Bragg Creek and all the hamlet has to offer.
“I think keeping it small and keeping it local really does resonate with the community – it creates a sense of belonging,” she said.
Events will take place at the Bragg Creek Community Centre throughout the day, Pollard said, with many emulating an old-style community fair reminiscent of Bragg Creek Days past. Attendees can expect to see classic activities, she added, such as a pie-eating contest and a three-legged race.
To highlight the classic fair atmosphere, the event will kick off with a pancake breakfast from 8 to 10 a.m. followed by a parade at 10:30 a.m., with “classic cars, tractors, fire engines, lots of people walking and a pipe band.” This year’s parade marshal is Donna Godlonton, Pollard added – a local celebrity who recently starred in Jann Arden’s television show, JANN.
In addition to providing plenty of fun activities for the whole family, Pollard noted, the event is also designed to showcase local organizations and businesses.
“We all need to support each other,” she said. “We're all really trying to come together and work together, because we're all relying on the same pool of people.”
Area businesses have donated supplies to several events and activities, according to Pollard, and a market will feature local vendors from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the community centre’s gym.
Although many of the activities are free, there is a fee for food at the barbecue and beverages at the beer gardens, which Pollard said will feature live music.
“The community centre is run by BCCA, and it is our mission to provide programming and services to engage everybody in our community,” she said. “[We are] inviting people to come to the centre of the community and have a fun day with friends and family and neighbours, and drink, eat, play and enjoy.”
For more information visit braggcreekca.com
