The Town of Cochrane and Cochrane Area Events Society partnered to bring a free family fun day to roughly 4000+ people.

People of all ages enjoyed all day music and entertainment in Mitford Park to celebrate Canada's 149th birthday.

Natalie Germann Town of Cochrane Recreation and Culture Assistant says one of the highlights was the first ever ceremony of swearing in 50 new Canadians. The Recreation department worked with the organization Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) over the past year to offer the memorable ceremony. IRCC was responsible for inviting the refugees and dignitaries to the ceremony. Although there were no Cochranites ready to be sworn in, for 50 citizens that took the oath, it was a moving experience.

"We saw some families crying with tears of joy because they were so happy. I spoke to one young woman from the Philippines and told her she was one of the first citizens to be sworn in, in our town, and how happy and proud we were to have them; they said how proud they were to be there. So I think it was a really prideful moment for everyone that was there."

The Town of Cochrane has already reached out to IRCC to bring the ceremony to Canada Day next year as well.

"We definitely want to make it part of our celebration every July 1, because I think it's just the perfect way to kick off the celebration."

Cochrane Area Events Society provided an opportunity for families to spend the day together by organizing much of the sideline entertainment.

Germann adds the many families enjoyed the abundance of activities and musical entertainment.

"We had some great activities, Hoja was on the Atco stage, Kylie Kulscar she sang O Canada on the Atco stage, Magicus entertainment was over in that area. On the main stage after the swearing in ceremony Choral Waves sang, then we had Riverside Jazz Band, Hazel Grey and Stratus, Rodeo Riders, and Mocking Shadows which they were all so much fun."

Besides the popularity of the eight food trucks that were on site, Germann shares offering the day's events for free was a huge bonus.

"It was free, you didn't have to go through any procedure of paying for tickets or anything. So I think that made a really big difference."

Canada Day made a mark in Cochrane this year for event goers, volunteers, and town staff that organized it.