Lloydminster’s Colonial Days Fair will be receiving some help to make it extra special. On Thursday, July 11, members of the Canadian Armed Forces will be coming from CFB Wainwright, showing off some of their equipment and interacting with the public.
The Colonial Days Fair hasn’t seen members of the army for five years. On display will be a couple of military vehicles, including a heavy utility truck and military-mounted VW Iltis. A small arms and weapons display will be there with some takeaways for the public, and residents will be able to ask the army many questions. Venessa Thornhill, event administrator a the Lloydminster Agricultural Exhibition Association, thinks the community will be very interested.
“We’ve had several people inquire, when are the military coming back? We’re super excited to have them return this year,” says Thornhill.
The fair will also be honouring Red Friday this year. Red Friday is honoured across Canada as a method of raising funds and support for those in the CAF. For every person wearing red at the fair on Friday, July 12, a dollar will be donated to supporting local veterans or military personnel. The fair will also offer a discount to military personnel and veterans. Thornhill says the fair recognizes the importance of our service members and believes it’s important to support them.
“The armed forces are a very important part of our country. They’re there for us when we need them, and we just want to turn around and show the support that they deserve.”
The LAEA has also announced Canadian Tire as a major sponsor for Family Day at the fair on July 11. Free admission will be given from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. along with a reduced ride all day armband price. The Colonial Days Fair, along with Canadian Tire, hopes to help out families given the economic times. Jackie Tomayer, marketing manager for the LAEA, enjoys being part of the fair and is thankful for the community’s support.
“We love putting on this event, but we can’t do it without the community support from all of our sponsors. Whether they’re major or all the way down to our smaller sponsors, we just can’t do it without them,” says Tomayer.
Tomayer adds that the Colonial Days Fair is always looking for new sponsors, and Canadian Tire is excited to become part of this will other sponsors.