It’s official!

Cranbrook’s Sam Steele Days will be a part of national CANADA 150 celebration!

The Sam Steele Society is very pleased to announce funding approval from the Government of Canada, Department of Canadian Heritage for the 2017 Sam Steele Days CANADA 150 Project, ‘This is Me. This is We. Strong. Proud. Free.’

Kootenay-Columbia MP Wayne Stetski immediately sent his congratulations.“The goal of the Canada 150 Fund is to create opportunities for Canadians to participate in local celebrations that build a sense of pride and attachment to Canada. The Kootenay region is rich with a history that truly echoes the Canada 150 slogan, ‘This is Me. This is We. Strong. Proud. Free.’ I am looking forward to celebrating the 150th anniversary of Confederation at Sam Steele Days this June.”

The project will enhance the annual Sam Steele Days community festival for two of the three days at the free central fairgrounds Saturday, June 17 and Sunday, June 18 and will inspire the entire region to express Canadian pride just prior to Canada Day. It will also provide some national exposure to the city.

The project is the result of collaborations with Fisher Peak Performing Artists Society (FPPAS), Cranbrook Community Theatre (CCT) Society, the Cranbrook and District Arts Council (CDAC), Genex Marketing and the City of Cranbrook.

The popular outdoor variety shows featuring local individuals and groups, of musicians, dancers and singers, of both professional and rising talent, will have a distinctly Canadian flavour this year. Each artist will make a tribute to Canada through their music or song choice, costume or dedication and some will entertain en francais.

Fisher Peak Performing Artists Society President James Neve says their members are delighted to produce the shows. “We will provide production services for a festival, a show, a tribute and an interactive art event. A profoundly Canadian celebration will take place in the ‘heart’ of the East Kootenay, Cranbrook, B.C. We look forward with great anticipation, to a truly unique, multicultural expression of our commitment to the arts, music, culture and social engagement in our great community and nation as we celebrate 150 years of Confederation.”

Cranbrook Community Theatre will host both shows with local actors portraying notable Canadians, Sir Samuel Steele and Jacques Plante, two historical Canadian men who each contributed to Canada uniquely. The co-hosts are sure to keep the audience entertained and informed by introducing the talented line up of performers and inspirational special guests as well as encouraging everyone to participate in creating a giant, colourful work of art next to the stage.

“We at the Cranbrook Community Theatre are immensely proud of our involvement with the Sam Steele Society and what this Canada 150 Project will bring to the community,” said CCT Director Melodie Hull. “The CCT is dedicated to cultivating new talent in their theatre, no matter where the actors go to perform. We are pleased to salute our heritage through theatre and to celebrate local and Canadian Icons on this our 150th birthday.”

While the show is in progress, an interactive artwork will be created with the participation of the attending public. The Cranbrook and District Art Council and their professional talented members will oversee the formation of the artwork resulting in a visual representation of the people of Canada.

CDAC Director Bill McColl said, “Our group at Cranbrook Arts is keen on providing a fun filled and creative couple of days. We are going to build a mosaic showing pride in our country, which can be displayed now and in future years.”

The Cranbrook and District Arts Council operates Cranbrook Arts, has been promoting local artists for more than 40 years and has previously partnered with the Sam Steele Society with their window decorating contest and T-shirt art booth.

This enhancement of the festival will validate our pride in being Canadian and deepen our attachment to Canada by demonstrating the endless possibilities that exist in building on our country’s strengths. Special guests will inspire the audience to follow their dreams and express Canadian pride. The completed artwork will serve to strengthen our understanding of the benefits of diversity while reminding us that we all have a part to play, whether it’s supporting someone else or being the one enabled.

This project provides opportunities for people to connect and celebrate together, encourages people to participate and be confident in contributing to Canada’s future. The finished artwork will be on public display post event at Cranbrook Arts Gallery, then displayed at the festival’s central fairgrounds each year as a thought provoking legacy.

Genex Marketing, an exceptional local marketing company (including powering e-KNOW), has played an important role in growing Cranbrook’s largest civic event.

“The team at Genex Marketing is excited to be a part of this Canada 150 celebration and anticipates that this year’s festival will be one of the biggest and most memorable yet,” exclaimed Chris Botterill, owner and General Manager of Genex Marketing.

“The name and theme of the project says it all and I encourage everyone to get involved to make it a huge success and personally gratifying. The city is very appreciative of the work the Sam Steele Society volunteers put into making Sam Steele Days a huge success. I am confident this year’s celebration will make Cranbrook very proud and showcase our city to the surrounding communities as well. It will provide many activities and a variety of entertainment for citizens and visitors to our city,” said Cranbrook Mayor Lee Pratt.

Sam Steele Society President Christy Wheeldon hopes this early announcement will inspire everyone to find a way to be involved, be present and be proud!

“On behalf of The Sam Steele Society, I would like to thank the Department of Canadian Heritage Canada 150 Fund Committee for approving our proposal. Cranbrook’s largest community festival will show case what makes Canadians special and unique. This is the time, this is the year, to shout from the roof tops. We are proud to be Canadians,” she stated.

Enter the parade or market, host an event or reserve space for an info/activity booth, volunteer, entertain, sign up your team in a tournament. Plan to bring your whole family. More information can be found at www.samsteeledays.org or call 250-426-4161.

This project has been made possible in part by the Government of Canada.

Sam Steele Society

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