Bower Ponds was covered in red and white, as Red Deerians celebrated Canada Day on Monday.
The Red Deer Cultural Heritage Society hosted a day-long Canada Day celebration, featuring fireworks, food vendors and live entertainment, including dancers, African drummers and a Métis fashion show.
The event aims to highlight the cultures present throughout Red Deer and Central Alberta, noted Delores Coghill, the society's manager.
"We're here to celebrate who we are and what Canada is today," she said.
Coghill said she was hoping to see 5,000-7,000 people coming to Bower Ponds throughout Canada Day.
"I have to thank everybody involved in putting this celebration on. If it weren't for volunteers, this wouldn't be able to happen," she said.
"It takes a lot of people to do something like this."
Coghill admitted it's been harder to find volunteers in recent years. People interested in volunteering at next year's Canada Day celebration can visit www.rdchs.com for more information.
Mayor Ken Johnston said he was happy to see clear weather in Red Deer for Canada Day.
"Let's just take a minute today to think about what a magnificent country we have and to think about what we value as Canadians, what we do in terms of welcoming people from all corners of the world. That's certainly on full display," Johnston said during his speech at the opening ceremony of Monday's Canada Day event in Red Deer.
"Let's never forget Canada is the emblem of the world when it comes to peace, unity and acceptance."
Premier Danielle Smith acknowledged Canada Day in a statement on Monday morning.
“Today is another opportunity for all of us to come together to celebrate this beautiful country that we call home," Smith said in the statement.
"From First Nations who have called this land home since before the founding of Canada, to those who have newly made this country their home, we have much to be grateful for. Today is a reminder that the strength of our nation relies on protecting our freedoms, beliefs and traditions as treasures to be guarded and achievements to be celebrated."