Over the last few years, many of Hay River’s most popular annual events have been delayed or cancelled outright due to the pandemic, as well as the floods and wildfires that have challenged the region.
This year has marked something of a return to normalcy for the community of just over 3,500 people, with many events making their long-awaited returns.
One of the latest festivities to do so was the annual carnival.
The carnival, which is organized by Alberta’s Wild Rose Shows with support from local staff, was finally back in the community from Aug. 23-25, and from the sounds of it, it was a great success.
“[Wild Rose Shows] try to come North most years,” said Stephane Millette. Hay River's director of recreation and community services. “That was interrupted by Covid, and the wildfires and flooding evacuations we’ve had.
“It’s been an awesome summer with a lot of events coming back,” he added. “End of May to early July is always a very busy time with all sorts of community events, and those have come back. It’s nice to see Wild Rose and the midway come back as an event that typically happens later in the summer.
"It’s definitely a popular event.”
This year’s carnival featured all of the rides, food and entertainment residents have come to expect. Hundreds of people attended over the course of the weekend, according to estimates Millette has heard, which is no surprise, given the high attendance of this summer’s other returning events.
“Residents are on board,” he said. “We’re getting lots of volunteers participating in these community events.
“In a weird way, people got a better appreciation of how important those community events are and how important it is to gather and celebrate when the going’s good.”
The troubles Hay River has endured in recent years would challenge any community, but were particularly difficult in a town that relies so heavily on its events, according to Millette.
The return of those annual highlights has been a relief to town staff and residents alike.
"Hay River is an event-based community and it’s a hosting community,” Millette said. “Hay River loves to host. It’s very important for the residents here and people in South Slave region for people to be able to gather at these events and celebrate and see people that you don’t see all the time. It brings the community pride.”
