Now that we’ve learned that Paraskevidekatriaphobia is the fear of Friday the 13^th, we thought it would be fun to forgo this week’s recipe in favour of a phobia matching game.  

We’re 99.9% sure there is no such thing as a phobia of games – so let the games begin.

1. Cacophobia                                   A. Fear of belly buttons
2. Aulophobia                                    B. Fear of the Pope
3. Gerascophobia                              C. Fear of flutes
4. Oenophobia                                   D. Fear of going to the doctor or of doctors
5. Papaphobia                                    E. Fear of frogs
6. Brontophobia                                 F. Fear of cooking
7. Iatrophobia                                    G. Fear of thunder and lightning
8. Mageirocophobia                           H. Fear of ugliness
9. Omphalophobia                              I. Fear of growing old
10. Ranidaphobia                               J. Fear of wine

Answer Key: 1H., 2C., 3I., 4J., 5B, 6G., 7D, 8F, 9A, 10E

Yes, that’s right.  This week we’re offering tips on how to throw a Friday the 13^th party.

Sure, it might seem a little “offbeat” but the idea behind this party theme is to poke some fun at superstition. 

So along with throwing caution to the wind (and maybe a little salt over our shoulder), let’s throw a Friday the 13^th party.

- You’ll want to make sure you invite the proper number of guests to your Friday the 13^th party. The key here is to make sure that all total, there will be 13 people in attendance.

- Do you have any friends who were born on a Friday the 13^th? If so, we recommend you make them the guest/guests of honour.

- Decorate your house appropriately. Place a ladder inside the doorway so guests have to walk under it when they enter. Paint lots of cracks on your walkway so no one can make it to the house without stepping on one. If possible, remove wooden furniture from the house so there will be nothing for your guests to knock on.  Decorate tables with “spilled” salt shakers. Place pennies face down on the tables. Leave a few opened umbrellas lying around.

- If you have a black cat, make sure it’s front and centre for the party. If you don’t have one, you can place fake black cats around your house that people have to walk by.

- Serve “unlucky foods” at your Friday the 13^th party. Perhaps some chicken wings because of the legend that your luck can fly away.  Grill up some blackened main courses. Turn a loaf of bread upside down after you’ve cut the first slice. Serve black cat cookies.

- Play games that poke fun at superstitions. See how far people can walk across the room with a salt shaker on their heads.

- Thinking of entertaining them with a DVD?  Nothing says Friday the 13^th like the “Friday the 13th”movies. 

- And to balance it out, end your Friday the 13^th party by giving each guest a party favour bag that is supposed to bring good luck. Include good luck charms such as acorns, four-leaf clovers, ladybug toys, tiny horseshoes, crystals, etc…

A Friday the 13^th party isn’t for everyone. But for those who are willing, we say have no fear and just have fun. Oh, and for the record, the formal term for fear of Friday the 13th is “Paraskevidekatriaphobia”. There’s a 20 dollar word you can throw out at your next party, in fact, a Friday the 13^th party would probably be the perfect place to use it.

I thought it would be nice to support a Canadian wine. Blue Mountain is one of my favorite wineries out of BC. Blue Mountain is always available thru JWebb, Metro Vino and the Kensington Wine Market. Here’s a featured cocktail to consider for your wedding reception.

Sweet Hibiscus Flower Rosé Brut

To serve:

Blue Mountain – Rosé Brut – Sparkling Wine – Okanagan, British Columbia, Canada. One bottle of sparkling wine provides six proper pours in a classic flute.

Drop one sweet hibiscus flower into each glass and watch the colors blend together. It is a perfect blend of sweet berry and crispness.

The Rosé Brut has a fine mousse, with fresh strawberry notes on the nose and across the palate, with a crisp fruit finish. The wine is made in the Method Traditionnelle style. Finished dry, this wine is aged sur-lie for thirty-six months prior to being disgorged. They then receive an additional 6 to 9 months of aging preceding release.

Cheers!

You’re getting married next summer. Think it’s a little early to plan your perfect wedding? Think again. Venues and caterers are already booking up.

But before you charge out to book a hall, order flowers and create the ultimate in wedding menus, we suggest you sit down, take a deep breath and look at the bigger picture.

Ask yourself what is important to you. That requires you to look honestly at your intended and yourself and determine the expectations you both will have from the day. Should it be formal? Religious? Infuse heritage and culture? Involve family? Only when you determine what you want out of the day can you even start to plan your perfect wedding.

And plan is the operative word.

While it might not sound wildly romantic, think of planning the perfect wedding as if it were a work project that you are overseeing. Set specific deadlines, schedules, timetables, goals, and divide the tasks. Breaking everything down into smaller jobs will make everything less overwhelming and much more manageable.

To plan your perfect wedding, you are going to need nerves of steel and anywhere from 9 – 12 months of preparation time.  Remember, you’re on a timetable and you’ll need to stick to it.

Yes, there’s a lot to do. But if the two of you plan it together, you’ll both learn how well you work as a team on a big project. And sharing and working together on something this important is actually indicative of your future happiness. There will be give and take, and you’ll hit some snags, but it will also be one of the greatest experiences of both your lives. And if things get too overwhelming, you can always consider hiring a wedding planner. A wedding planner can be your best friend. Not only will a wedding planner relive you both of some of the stress but they can save you time and money.

Here’s a look at what you’ll need to do to plan your perfect wedding starting now.  

9 – 12 Months before Your Perfect Wedding Day

Up first: choose your wedding date. Whether you plan to be married in a church, temple, pagoda, at home, etc., make sure you clear the date and time with your clergy.

Announce your engagement in local newspapers.

Set a realistic budget. Take the time to talk with your fiancé (and your parents if they’re paying) about the budget and style of your wedding, reception and wedding-related parties, and who pays for what.

Enlist help. Consider hiring a wedding planner. If your budget won’t stretch that far, consult with one for an hour or two and get some much needed advice and guidance. Then ask relatives and close friends to assist you in specific tasks – choosing the band, interviewing caterers, locating a reception site – look for guidance from them in areas where you feel you really need support.

Compose your guest list. Plan to send Save the Date cards or emails to let out-of-town guests know your wedding is in the works so they can make travel plans.

Reserve your reception site.

Choose your wedding attendants.

Select your wedding gown, shoes and accessories.

Decide on bridesmaids dresses and choose your color scheme.

Determine the theme or mood that you‘d like to establish with the food, table settings, flowers and entertainment at your reception.

Interview caterers, musicians, florists, photographers, videographers and bakers. Get written estimates of their costs. Keep records of your discussions and their bids in a notebook or with wedding planning software.

6 Months before Your Perfect Wedding Day

It’s time to choose your caterer. Remember to get a written contract.

It’s also time to choose your musicians. Once again, remember to get a written contract.

Book your photographer and videographer. We’ll say it again; remember to get a written contract. 

Select your baker and order the cake.

Choose your florist.

Shop for wedding rings with your fiancé.

Decide on your honeymoon destination. Work with a travel agent to book your travel and accommodations.

Select your wedding invitations.

4 Months before Your Perfect Wedding Day

Register for gifts at one or more bridal-gift registries.

Help both mothers to coordinate and shop for their wedding-day attire. Make the most of the day and take them to lunch.

Select music for your ceremony and reception.

Choose readings for your wedding and write your wedding vows.

Plan a rehearsal dinner for members of your wedding party, your family, and out-of-town guests. Reserve the location.

Make appointments for gown fittings.

Check the requirements for a marriage license.

Reserve your wedding-day transportation and any other wedding-day rental needs.

Make sure contracts and arrangements are complete with all of your service providers.

Make appointments for a hairdresser and makeup artist for the big day.

Arrange hotel accommodations for members of the wedding party who live out of town.
Reserve a block of rooms for other out-of-town guests, and let them know the rooms are available. Remember to ask for any group discounts or special packages.

Carefully prepare directions, including simply drawn maps, if necessary, to help guide guests to the wedding and reception, and to hotels. For guests who will travel a long distance to your wedding, consider assembling an information package on fun things to do and see while in town.

Begin addressing invitations and announcements.  Invitations should go in the mail six to eight weeks before your big day.

Give the caterer or other food suppliers a close idea of the number of guests you expect.

Make sure all reservations are in place for honeymoon travel.

Select your “going away” outfit and special items for your trousseau.

Check with bridesmaids to make sure they have their gowns and are getting them adjusted.

Shop for gifts for your bridesmaids.

Offer to help your fiancé select gifts for his attendants.

Make a date with your photographer for any formal portraits you desire.

Make an appointment to have your hair done just before your portrait session and again the day or so before your wedding. Consider including your bridesmaids in a “day of beauty” before your wedding, with manicures, hair styling, massages and makeup sessions.

2 Months before Your Perfect Wedding Day

Mail out your wedding invitations and announcements.

Have wedding portraits taken.

Send bridal portrait and wedding announcement to newspapers for publication.

Make your final choices on the music that will be played during your wedding ceremony.

Meet with the musicians who will provide entertainment during your reception and let them know what you want and when you want it played. Remember those nerves of steel and don’t be shy to voice your preferences, from everything to the volume, favorite songs you’d like to hear and even songs you don’t want to be played.

Plan your rehearsal dinner and a brunch or fun activity for out-of-town guests to enjoy on the day following your wedding.

Purchase special accessories for your wedding-day attire.

Plan a luncheon for your bridesmaids.

Finalize honeymoon plans. If you’re traveling overseas be sure to double check that your passports are current and that you have any and all necessary visas.

Gather necessary birth or baptismal certificates you may need for your wedding license.

1 Month before Your Perfect Wedding Day

Get your wedding license.

Have a final fitting of your gown and make sure your attendants have theirs.

Check that your menu selections and service plans are locked in place with your caterer.

Purchase a special book to keep track of wedding gifts as they arrive.

Keep writing those thank-you notes on a daily basis!

If you plan a formal dinner for your reception, it s time to draw up a seating plan and make up place cards.

Check with your florist to confirm dates and times of flower deliveries.

Review your wedding-day transportation plans and make sure drivers are clear about addresses, times and number of passengers.

Make name or address changes official on documents, including driver s license, Social Security forms and financial accounts.

Meet with your photographer to specify the formal shots you want taken of the bridal party, as well as specific, candid shots you d like taken during the reception.

Review the video plans with your videographer.

2 Weeks Before Your Perfect Wedding

Keep writing those thank-you notes for wedding gifts!

Pick up your wedding rings. Make sure any special engraving appears precisely as you wished.

Begin packing for the honeymoon.

One Week before Your Perfect Wedding

Make final checks with all your vendors: musicians, florist, photographer, videographer, limousine, service, caterers and baker.

Ask a friend or a family member to arrange for wedding gifts that may be brought to your reception to be delivered to your home or another safe spot.

Wrap gifts for bridal attendants and have them ready for the rehearsal dinner.

Purchase  travelers checks and reconfirm honeymoon travel and hotel plans.

See that checks are written and ready to be handed out to vendors at the agreed-upon time.

Inform your caterer of the final number of guests. Confirm that out-of-town guests are set with hotel accommodations, transportation and wedding-day directions.

The Day before Your Perfect Wedding Day

Take time to relax and enjoy a massage, manicure and pedicure.

Traditionally, this is your day for rehearsal ceremony and rehearsal dinner.

Have fun!

Turn in early for a good night’s sleep.

Your Perfect Wedding Day

Allow plenty of time for dressing, makeup and hairstyling.

If you plan on photography before the ceremony, allow ample time so you’re not rushed.

Relax, breathe, and remember: This is your special day, the result of all your careful planning. Now it’s time to enjoy.

Refuse to let any glitch get to you. Savor every moment of this sacred day. Let your happiness shine through and have a perfectly wonderful wedding day!

So you’re planning to throw a summer party.

And, of course, you want your summer party to be a huge success.

Good news – that’s completely doable. But to throw a summer party that’s guaranteed to wow your guests and leave a lasting impression, you’ll need to get organized.

We have a few helpful hints on how to throw a summer party.

Summer parties with themes are always lots of fun.  And when it comes to choosing a theme, the options are pretty much limitless. (How’s that for a sunny party forecast?)  Movie themes, regional themes, musical themes, food and drink themes, even a “Jingle Bells July” works for a summer Christmas party – and you don’t have to shovel any snow.  Hopefully.  

To really make the theme successful, fully incorporate it into your summer party. Pick a theme and weave it in and throughout the whole event from start to finish – that includes décor, entertainment, lighting, costumes, food theming, invitations, and even take home gifts.  

If you’re planning a summer party and you’re on a budget (and most of us are), it’s best to weigh your expectations… Ask yourself what is important to you and the reason for the party before you start planning. Plan your budget from the start to finish. (Those invitation cards aren’t free.)  The one area we recommend that you spend the extra money on is for the food. Quality food is always guaranteed to please everyone. You can “cheat” in other areas.   

Remember to set aside the time you’ll need to get everything ready.  To throw a great summer party takes time. In fact, it’s usually a lot more work than most people might imagine. Oh, and don’t underestimate the food and beverage quantities; hungry and thirsty guests tend to be a grumpy group.

You’ll not only want to keep your guests entertained but ensure that their kids have plenty to do (bored and restless kids are even more challenging than hungry and thirsty guests). Grab activities from a dollar store. Crayons and coloring books/glow sticks/balloons are cheap and will keep the wee ones entertained. But watch for choking hazards and other dangers. Or you could create a movie area and video game station. Interactive entertainment such as a magician will keep your younger guests happy and occupied. And don’t forget the child friendly food.

For any party to be successful, you need to answer the following questions:

-What is the reason for the event (birthday for family member or an anniversary party for in laws from out of town)?
-What’s the bottom line on how much I can spend?
-How many people do you want to attend the function?
-Will I need staff to help work on the event or can I do this on my own?
-Is the location convenient for the majority of my guests?
-Have I fully considered the physical environment and location (interior of home, backyard, hotel vs. tent)?
-What style of party do I want?
-What type of hospitality do I want my guests to receive?
-Is the access to the facility easy for the suppliers like the caterer to set up?
-What are my menu challenges?
-Will the Decor or entertainment affect or get in the way of the style of food service?
-Will I need permits (tenting, fire restrictions, and power and water availability)?
-What will my entertainment require (different entertainment requires different needs)?
-If my party is outdoors, am I prepared for bad weather?
-What about other public events that are booked ahead for any conflicts (e.g. Stampede)?
-Have I done all the research?

A little creativity can go along way. If you keep a close eye on the details, your summer party will be a memorable hit and a huge success.

Looking for some company picnic ideas? After all, July is National Picnic month, and what better way to celebrate than by having a picnic?  We Calgarians are especially fortunate to have all kinds of fabulous picnic areas and hiking trails.  And so we have some helpful tips to help make your event “picnictastic.”

There are plenty of good reasons to have a corporate picnic.

- They lift staff’s spirits and company morale
- They show appreciation for employees
- They demonstrate a commitment to employees and their families   
- They build teamwork
- They’re fun

These days, picnics are no longer about a single basket filled with soggy sandwiches, warm drinks and ants. Today’s picnics can be innovative and creative.

Here are five important things to remember when you think through your company picnic ideas.

1. Location, location, location. Not only do you want it to be scenic but it also should be  close to where the majority of your workforce live. You’ll need to think about transit routes, or consider options such as taxi vouchers or car pooling.

2. Make sure you’ve got the basics covered. On-site power, permits, washrooms, tents (anything above 600 square feet needs a building permit), tables and chairs, set up, strike down, and recycling are just a few of the many things on the picnic-to-do list. 

3. Put lots of “fun” into the day’s agenda. You’ll want to ensure there are plenty of games and activities. You don’t want everyone sitting around with nothing to do – what is this, the office? (kidding). When thinking through your company picnic ideas and activities, remember to consider your employees’ interests (not everyone likes softball).  And make sure the kids have plenty to do too.

4. Theme your picnic. Today’s picnic events can have their own themes with corresponding menus that can be custom designed. Remember to incorporate the theme through the entire event, from the invitation to the décor, food, activities, music and entertainment. Make sure that your entertainment compliments the day and the activities. 

5. Food. We’re thinking barbequed burgers, hot dogs, chicken and ribs. And while they will please most of your guests, remember to include plenty of vegetarian options. Avoid foods that spoil quickly in the heat (hello, mayonnaise and seafood). Make sure you’ve got the appropriate refrigeration for drinks and food. Water and fruits will keep everyone hydrated. 

Calgary picnic site bookings can be made in advance by contacting the City of Calgary:

Check out their website or email: facilitybooking@calgary.ca You can reach them by phone at: Customer Service Center 403-268-3800 and in person at: Customer Service Center, 2808 Spiller Road S.E., Calgary, AB.

Now the question is – where to go for a day of picnicking?

Don’t ever say we never done nothin’ for ya. Here is a comprehensive list of Calgary picnic areas and their locations, including playgrounds, off-leash dog parks, natural environment parks as well as the outdoor resource center.

Coming up with company picnic ideas is just the beginning. There are a huge number of details to work through. In fact, you might want to consider hiring an event planner who can also cater your event to make sure all potential obstacles are covered. A professional planner can’t stop it from raining but they can make sure that none of your guests get wet. 

While you’re at it, check out Simply Elegant’s Summer Packages. They’re designed to ensure your event is exactly as you want it at a price you can afford.

Planning in advance and taking care of the details will ensure your outdoor experience is relaxed and stress-free.  So bring your company picnic ideas to life! Get out there and have a fun day in the great outdoors. Oh, and don’t forget to bring the sunscreen.

Here’s something cool. As many of you know, we here at Simply Elegant are big supporters of  Hospice Calgary.  If you feel, as we do, that the work they do is important, you can help them by voting for them in the APX Givesback Project.  

Hospice Calgary is now in the APX Givesback Project finales. In fact, Hospice Calgary has been chosen as one of 15 Canadian finalists given an opportunity to win the top prize of a $100,000.or the regional prize of $30.000.

That means, they’re only up against 14 other Canadian charities. So they have a real shot at this!

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

Every day until August 21, 2010, Facebook users from all over the US and Canada will vote for the charities that they feel are having the most impact in local communities. If Hospice Calgary gets the most votes for Canada, APX will give us $30,000. The top overall charity will receive $100,000.

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO DO?

Just follow these simple instructions and remember to vote EVERYDAY for Hospice Calgary.

1. Click on this link  
2. Click on ‘Like’
3. Find and click on the yellow ‘Canada’ icon
4. Find Hospice Calgary, then click on ‘Endorse this charity’
5. That’s it!
6. Vote EVERYDAY, and please encourage all of your friends to vote too.
7. Invite your kids (with Facebook accounts) to get on board and help us out.

With your help, Hospice Calgary could win $30,000 (or more!) towards helping families like Rylan’s discover hope after the death of someone they love.

RYLAN’S STORY

Just before New Year’s 2007, a patch of black ice turned Jennifer’s world upside down. She and her family were headed to B.C. for a ski trip when in an instant a fatal crash took her husband, Doug, her daughter, Amy, and left her injured with multiple fractures.

The family had previously lost their 18-month-old daughter Kira to meningitis in 2000.

Her son, Rylan, was only 5 years-old at the time of the crash. He survived without physical injury, but his spirit was traumatized. Jennifer turned to Hospice Calgary for help.

Over the next eighteen months, Rylan came to Hospice Calgary for counseling and play therapy. He joined Kid’s Club, the support group for grieving children and also attended the summer Kid’s Bereavement Day Camp. “There is no quick fix for grief. It is a journey of healing as it happens, and I know Hospice Calgary is there for as long as we need it,” says Jennifer.

“I learned to recognize the ways that grief surfaces at different developmental stages. When it does show up, Rylan and I say that ‘our bucket is full’ and we need to tip a little out so we can go on. And so we do,” she said.

Hospice Calgary has checked with APX Alarms and has concluded that this is a legitimate initiative set up by APX Family Foundation to fulfill its mission to restore hope for families impacted by need.

PLEASE VOTE EVERYDAY

Knowing how busy we all are, may we suggest that you set up Outlook to send you a daily reminder to vote.  It’s fast and easy to set up recurring tasks on Outlook.

Open Tasks
Subject: Vote for Hospice Calgary
Date Due: Mon 8/23/2010
Start Date: Today’s date
Click Recurrence and request daily recurrence with an end date of Aug 21.
Make note: Facebook APX Givesback

Want to know how to throw a successful birthday party for adults? We can help.

Whether you’re throwing a birthday party for your wife, or husband, or your best friend, there’s good news: a little creativity can go a long way. And creativity is important. Who wants to throw a bland, forgettable party? Hopefully, not you.

Yup, nothing says “Happy Birthday” quite like a fabulous night with family and friends. Oh, and of course plenty of food, drinks and entertainment. So here are a few tips to help make your birthday party a success.

- Spend time on choosing a theme that reflects the guest of honour. What does he or she like? Movies? Another era? Egyptology? (What can I say, my friends are just weird). Choose something that reflects them. Then look to pull your theme and the colours you choose through everything you do, from the email/mailed invitations right to the food and room decorations.

-Don’t feel you need to go all out on decorations.  Minimal decorations strategically placed set the tone and are less of a tripping hazard for older and younger guests.

- Choose entertainment that works for a range of ages (5 – 65). For example, hire a magician who has a 20 minute stage show and will then spend the rest of his time roaming through the room and entertaining pockets of guests.

- Hire a caricaturist to theme everyone’s pictures to match the event; book for the
duration of the party as he or she will be busy ALL night!

- Hire two different types of roaming entertainers for the adults and kids. Entertainment for the grownups could include contortionists, musicians, murder mystery performers, leaders of improv games, etc.

-Kid-friendly ideas for roaming entertainment include: performers on stilts, clowns, theater roaming shows, balloon artists, arts and crafts stations.

- Stations in general work really well for parties of all kinds. Consider them for food, activities and all types of games, whether or adult or kid friendly (craft area, bouncy castle area, petting zoo, carnival games, sports, etc.).

- Body art painting (face painting, tattoos) and glow sticks are always a great hit with the kids.  

- Hire a professional photographer who can capture the magic moments so you can enjoy the party.

- If you have serving staff and caterers, consider costuming them with colours and fun props.

- Bring in a DJ who works for your guests and your guest of honour. If there are kids, make sure the music is appropriate. The Limbo and YMCA are great songs to get everyone up and then you can eventually migrate into other types of music appropriate for the event.

- Ensure you have kid friendly food available – but don’t kid down your adult food. Make sure your adult guests have great food. When it comes to kids, minimize unlimited candy and serve dessert earlier rather than later in the evening.

- Delegate someone (nanny, babysitter) to watch over the children in a play area to allow
parents to enjoy themselves.

- Food should have vegetarian components plus a list of ingredients for those with
allergies. It’s best to not serve food with nuts.

- Serve simple foods that are easy to eat, won’t stain the rugs or be a sticky mess.

- Mocktails are always a hit with the teens and smart to provide to all guests, particularly as the evening winds down.   

Smart choices can make family birthdays fun and memorable.  We only get one a year, so if you’re setting up a loved one’s birthday party, then try some of these suggestions. We guarantee they will make it an extra-special birthday. 

Oh, and don’t forget the cake!

I make this delicious chicken recipe over a fire. You’ll need to pound the peanuts into a mash (similar to peanut butter) with a large mortar and pestle.  It’s delicious and best served with couscous.

1 whole chicken cut up into small chunks
Cook slowly over a fire in large pot with 5 or 6 tomatoes
salt and pepper to taste

When the chicken is roasted, add a little bit of cool water with the ground peanuts and cook till done using a lid.

Calgary, Canada Day. What a great combination.

July 1^st will be here soon and we know you want to make the most of Canada Day and paint the town red and white. At 143 years young, our country has never looked better.

And a Calgary Canada Day is the best kind of Canada Day there is. We live in a fabulous city where can you go rafting, mountain climbing, and shopping all in the same day, watch the sun set behind the Bow River, and then make dinner reservations downtown.

There will be no shortage of fun things to do. To get you started, we at Simply Elegant have a few suggestions on how to make your Calgary Canada Day extra special.  

You can enjoy the day with family and friends on Prince’s Island Park. From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. the Island will be alive with music, live entertainment, food, and festivities. And with three stages filled with live music and entertainment acts, there is guaranteed to be something for everyone.  

Later in the evening the festivities continue at Olympic Plaza with even more food, entertainment and a fireworks finale – talk about going out with a bang.

Or you and the family can spend the day at Heritage Park. The day long events include western themed entertainment, old fashioned family games, birthday cake (of course) and plenty of music.  

The spirit of the west is in full swing at Millarville.  Why not visit and check out Millarville’s Canada Day races. The day features modern-day cowboys, farmers and local acreage owners competing in the Millarville Derby. The Derby is a 7 furlong race for local riders and their stock horses under a western saddle. 

They’ll be celebrating our nation’s 143^rd birthday all day long at the place where our city was born. And a Fort Calgary Canada Day is a very special one indeed.  The historic site of the first English singing of O Canada and first RCMP detachment will be featuring family fun events such as a free pancake breakfast, live stage entertainment, petting zoo, pony rides, games, crafts, jump houses, and much more. At noon, they’ll be holding their official Canada Day ceremony and at 1 PM the Strathcona Mounted Troop will have their Musical Ride on site. 

Spruce Meadows continues its “Canada One” Tournament.  The tournament showcases world-class show jumping competition in a relaxed atmosphere and it is considered among one of the finest outdoor tournaments in North America. With over $350,000 total purse for the competition at the highest level, “Canada One” has become one of the sport’s premier tournaments with full FEI CSI 4-star status and a world cup qualifier.

Now’s your chance to see some of North America’s best riders.

So go on, Calgary. Canada Day is waiting. Get out there and celebrate it in style. And whatever you choose to do this holiday, here’s wishing you and yours a fun, safe, and happy time from all of us. Because let’s face it, as a country, we totally rock.