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Third annual Zombie walk records unprecedented turnout

Uko Akpanuko
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Third annual Zombie walk records unprecedented turnout

The third annual Downtown Zombie Walk took place on Saturday and organizers were pleasantly surprised with the large turnout.
“When we first looked there were around 50 people in Memorial Square. It was probably very close to 5:30 p.m. and so we were kind of like ‘it is what it is,” Rhonda Trusty, the Co-executive Director of Prince Albert Downtown Business District (PADBID) said. “There’s a lot of events going on in the city and people only have so much time and energy. Then when I came around City Hall and saw hundreds of people. They must have arrived all at once. It was simply amazing”.

Trusty thanked the many volunteers who helped make the event successful, specifically the Optimist Club, which operated the Ghost Train, and James Ringam, who told the ghost story.

Trusty said last year, the numbers were so large the Historical Museum couldn’t accommodate them all. She said hosting the ghost story in Memorial Square was a much smoother experience.
She added that they have big plans for next year. They’re going to add more characters, more light, and possibly incorporate the Arts Centre.

 “We’re going to turn this into a spectacular show,” Trusty said.

Michael Oleksyn/Daily Herald
Igor (Corey Ferchoff) led the Zombie Walk on Saturday in Prince Albert’s downtown.
Michael Oleksyn/Daily Herald
There was a significant crowd taking part in the Zombie Walk as part of Zombie Walk and Monster Mash on Saturday in Prince Albert’s downtown.
Michael Oleksyn/Daily Herald
The crowd was enthralled by James Ringham’s ghost story during the third annual Zombie Walk and Monster Mash on Saturday.
Michael Oleksyn/Daily Herald
James Ringham told a factual ghost story about Prince Albert on the steps of City Hall to kick off the third annual Zombie Walk and Monster Mash on Saturday.

“This is a family event. It’s free. There’s a lot of effort and time put into this. Times are hard and it’s an opportunity for families to come out and have a safe Halloween with their children and have some fun.”
Trusty expressed gratitude to all the sponsors, volunteers, business partners, and the Board of Directors for making the event possible.

“I’m just very happy that citizens of our city can come and enjoy an evening with their children,” she said.

–with files from Michael Oleksyn/Daily Herald

Prince Albert set for 3rd Annual Zombie walk

Uko Akpanuko
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Prince Albert set for 3rd Annual Zombie walk

Uko Akpanuko

Daily Herald

The Prince Albert Downtown Business Improvement District (PADBID) has concluded plans and preparation for their Third Annual Downtown Zombie Walk and Monster Mash on Saturday.

The event begins at 5:30 p.m. and will feature a number of changes, including a new starting location.
“We have outgrown the Historical Museum, so I made a decision to move it to the Memorial square at City Hall,” Rhonda Trusty, the Co-executive Director of Prince Albert Downtown Business District (PADBID) said. “The road itself is going to be the same, it’s just the start of the Downtown ghost story that has changed.”

The event begins with the Downtown Ghost Story at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall. The Zombie Walk begins at 5:45 p.m., with the Monster Mash starting at 6 p.m.

The Monster Mash includes the Gateway Mall Ghost Train, treat bags, and a zombie caricature artist.

Trusty said it’s encouraging to see how popular the event has become over the years.

“It’s pretty exciting to see the kids in their costumes,” she said. “I think it’s just another great free family fun event that parents and kids can participate in and have a safe environment to do it.”

Trusty also stated that this year PADBID will be handing out more than 600 treat bags to kids who attend.

Prince Albert Security Services will also be on hand to provide residents with escorts to their vehicles if requested.
–with files from Michale Oleksyn/Daily Herald

Royal Purple offers a helping hand to Prince Albert Safe Shelter for Women on Purple Thursday

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Royal Purple offers a helping hand to Prince Albert Safe Shelter for Women on Purple Thursday

The Royal Purple members all across Canada on Thursday marked Purple Thursday by providing care bags to women who are victims of intimate partner violence.

The Prince Albert and Shellbrook Royal Purple members were on hand to share care bags to victims of abusive relationship in the Prince Albert Safe Shelter for women.

“We are trying to raise awareness about brain injuries and the intersection that it has with interpersonal violence,” said Elaine Perkins, President Shellbrook Royal Purple Branch. “This is all across Canada today. We do this annually and this year because we had so much going on in other years when we’ve done it, we’ve put Purple Thursday times seven, so it’s been going on all week.”

Royal Purple organizations across Canada deliver bags to local shelters on the third Thursday of October each year. Perkins said the stats show Royal Purple groups will deliver a combined 5,000 bags across Canada on Purple Thursday.

The Care bags are prepared to assist victims of intimate partner violence. The bags include items like toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, and conditioner.

“(It’s) things that they don’t have when they leave the place of violence,” Perkins said. “We collect these. Some has been by donations of money and then we purchase the items. Others have just been by the goodness of the business and people who come out to support us.”

Perkins gave some disturbing statistics, saying that one in three women will experience domestic violence in their lifetime, out of those women, one in eight women will have a brain injury of some level whether concussion or more drastic.

The major focus of the Canadian Royal Purple is brain injury awareness and prevention. The aim of Purple Thursday is to draw national attention to the magnitude and impact of intimate partner violence and subsequent brain injuries.

Perkins said the statistics show its particularly a problem in Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

“I hate to have to say this because I love Saskatchewan, but I don’t like those statistics,” Perkins said. “What we want to do is try and stop the violence, bring it out there where people can understand.”

Members of the Prince Albert and Shellbrook Royal Purples pose for a photo after delivering gift bags to the Prince Albert Safe Shelter for Women on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025. — Jason Kerr/Daily Herald

Perkins added that it’s not just women who suffer from intimate partner violence. One in five men suffer from it too.

BrendaLee Pellerin, a Support Services Worker with the PA Safe Shelter said it means a lot to have the Royal Purple’s support.

“They lovingly go around and collect donations, purchase all the items, fill the bags,” Pellerin said. “They bring what they have and we pass it along to our ladies here who are coming from, sometimes, next to nothing, so the bag is very special to them…. It shows that other people in the community care what they’re going through.”

Pellerin said the number of women requiring help spiked significantly during COVID, when lockdowns made it difficult for women to leave an abusive relationship and find shelter. Since then, she said, the situation has improved, but there are still issues.

“There is always a need,” she said. “It’s more difficult when you have children with you to be able to find a safe place. You don’t want your children on the street. They’re a risk, so anything that a shelter can do to take in a lady and her children is valuable to herself and her family.”

In some cases, Pellerin said they have received calls for help from women who need help immediately. When that happens, gift bags like the ones provided by the Royal Purple are essential.

“A lot of times we get a call that she needs to leave the community now,” she said. “He is still there, and the assault could have just happened. She walks in with just the cloths on her back—not even identification—so everything that the ladies at the Royal Purple give us, … we call them blessing bags.”

–with files from Jason Kerr/Daily Herald

Northern Saskatchewan’s largest career and job fair hosts more than 3,000 attendees

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Northern Saskatchewan’s largest career and job fair hosts more than 3,000 attendees

Northern Saskatchewan witnessed one of the largest career fairs on Wednesday, with more than 3,000 students attending the Opening Doors to Tomorrow Career and Job Fair at the Art Hauser Centre on Wednesday.

“It’s really an exciting day,” organizing committee chair Corrine Schwehr said. “A lot of work goes into planning it. It’s executed by a really strong organizing committee, so I just feel a lot of excitement seeing the kids come in.

“There are many kids that are also engaged in the booths. The displayers have some very engaging booths, so that is really nice to see.”

Grade 10 Student Jackson Mayer was among those who attended. Although he’s still two years away from graduation, Mayer is grateful for all the information the career fair provides.

“It’s good,” he said. “It’s nice to experience opportunities.”

Wednesday’s fair was free and open to the public. It also marked the 14th year of operation.

“The career fair gives students a chance to ‘try on’ careers through interactive exhibits and conversations with professionals,” said Schwehr. “It’s also valuable for job seekers of all ages. With many exhibitors looking to hire immediately, attendees can walk away with more than just information.”

Grade 10 Student Jackson Mayer tries picking up a Prince Albert Fire Department training dummy during the Open Doors to Tomorrow Career and Job Fair on Wednesday. — Jason Kerr/Daily Herald

The participants attended from the Saskatchewan Rivers Public School Division, Prince Albert Catholic School Division, Prairie Spirit School Division and Treaty Six Education Council and other area schools.

The majority of the participants came from the schools within the two division but Schwehr said the general public can also attend for free.

“I am sometimes a little surprise that we don’t have more walk-in foot traffic just from the general public because it a really good career fair,” she said. “(It’s) not just for students that are exploring post-secondary (options) and workforce, but for adults who are actually looking for employment.

“There are displayers here who are looking to hire so if there’s somebody who is looking for a job they could potentially come in and walk away with a job.”

The participants had the opportunity to connect and interact with over 85 exhibitors including post-secondary institutions, government agencies, private businesses and non-profit organizations who provided interactive training and related activities, job options and career education information.
In an age were more and more of life is moving online, Schwehr said there is still a roll for in-person career fairs.

“People still want to talk to someone else in person, whether that’s a displayer still wanting to have that meaningful interaction with students, or students wanting to meet face-to-face with someone, that’s still a really important connection,” she said. “I think that can never necessarily be replaced by online.”

The fair ran from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

–with files from Jason Kerr/Daily Herald

Haunted Corn Maze holding 14th Edition

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Haunted Corn Maze holding 14th Edition

The staff and owners of Paintball Paradise have put together plans to make their 14th annual Haunted Corn Maze bigger and better than it was last year.

The event will be taking place on the Oct. 17-18, and Oct. 24-25. Owner George Lewko said the local attraction has found a devoted fanbase.

““It’s been going good. Unless snow comes, we’re doing pretty good. The snow kind of messes things up and people don’t want to come out so much, but if the snow stays away we’ll have good crowds.”

The event runs from 7-11 p.m. on Fridays and 2-11 p.m. on Saturdays. Family time runs from 2-7 p.m. on Saturdays. From 7-11 p.m., the attraction targets adults, with the really scary stuff starting after 8 p.m.

Lewko said they started their traditional corn maze years ago with only a night or two of “haunted” fun. That changes when they saw how popular the scary nights were.

“It’s turned into something fun,” he said. “We started with just the corn maze and realized for three months we ran the corn maze—we did two scary nights—that over half the people came out on the scary nights. That seemed to be where people were interested … so we’ve concentrated on scaring people.”

This year’s event includes a new attraction based on a local legend. Paintball Paradise has added a Phantom Light attraction based on the phenomenon observed on the old railway tracks near St. Louis.

The lights have drawn national and international attention in the past, as has the local legend that the lights belong to a conductor or brakeman who lost his head, and continues to search for it along the tracks.

MIchael Oleksyn/Daily Herald
Guests visited the Pumpkin Barn at the Paintball Paradise Haunted Corn Maze during the VIP Night on Oct. 11.
Michael Oleksyn/ Daily Herald
Guests were greeted by frightening Scarecrows at the Paintball Paradise Haunted Corn Maze during the VIP Night on Oct. 11.

“We always try to add something new every year,” Lewko said. “The Phantom Light, I think, will be very popular, especially since it’s our local lore. That’s pretty cool.”

Residents who want to enjoy the crisp autumn air without the Halloween scares can still enjoy the attractions. Lewko said they try to keep the 2-7 p.m. hours light and fun for families.

Attractions include old tractor rides, paintball shooting games, and the giant checkerboard.

Attendees can also visit the Pumpkin Barn. Lewko said it hasn’t been a great year for pumpkins, but they’ll still got plenty available.

Paintball Paradise is located southwest of Prince Albert.

–with files from Michael Oleksyn/Daily Herald

Culture Days showcases ‘Positive PA’ in Poetry Walk

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Culture Days showcases ‘Positive PA’ in Poetry Walk

Culture Days continued in Prince Albert on Sunday as local poets gathered for a free poetry walk at the riverbank to generate some positivity.

The event gave writers a chance to present their work based on the theme Positive PA. It even drew plenty of responses, including a few from former residents.

“I haven’t lived in Prince Albert for quite a few years but what I want to emphasize was what holds people here,” said Sharon Bird, one of the Poets that read her poem during the Poetry Walk. “When I think of what holds people in places that they love, there’s a feeling. Prince Albert gets bad press, as does many places I have lived in, but there’s an underlined belonging.”

Bird worked in the school system when she lived in Prince Albert and credited that experience for strengthening her ties to PA. She said it was important to be involved given this year’s theme.

“My process was simply to think about what it meant to me,” said Bird, who is originally from Ontario and now lives near Christopher Lake. “Now that I don’t live here, what are the things that I remember?

“Yeah, bad things happen. Good things happen too. It’s like any place… It’s about people. We all make our mistakes. We all have our failings, but there’s an acceptance here too. You just have to walk down Central Avenue one day and you can see that. You see every echelon. Kindness and belonging were the things I wanted to emphasize.”

During the last Poetry Walk in July, organizer and poet Lynda Monahan said the poems will be on display right until Culture Days ends in the fall. She said the poems will be available all the time for the residents of Prince Albert to access.

“It’s available all this time. People can wander and have a read and it also highlights poetry, which is really important to me.”

Along with the general theme of Positive Prince Albert, Monahan said it also encourages people to enjoy the city.

“It highlights all kinds of good things,” she said. “It gets people down here.”

Bird has submitted poems for two previous editions of the Poetry Walk, but couldn’t attend the most recent one. This year she was surprised to have her poem in the first box.

“I didn’t realize that I was the first  because I wasn’t here at the first one, but it’s good to go first,” she said. “I am not a natural speaker. I like to write, I like words.”

Bird also expressed her gratitude for being a part of the Walk and thanked Monahan for making this possible.

The Pop-Up Poetry Walk was put together as a continuation of the “Hope” poetry project by local poet Lynda Monahan. The walk winds its way from the start of the Rotary Trail by Riverside School towards Diefenbaker Bridge with 10 poems displayed along the way.

Monahan also promised that as long as the city is willing to do it, she will also be ready.

—with files from Michael Oleksyn/Daily Herald

Prince Albert hosts top Indigenous firefighters for regional competition

Uko Akpanuko
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Prince Albert hosts top Indigenous firefighters for regional competition

Uko Akpanuko

Daily Herald

The annual Saskatchewan First Nations Regional Firefighting Competition was held on Saturday in the parking lot of Carlton Comprehensive High School.


The annual event brings First Nations fire departments from across Saskatchewan to compete in a series of challenges that tests their firefighting skills and abilities


“It’s an opportunity to bring our firefighters from all over the province together, show off their skills and abilities by doing evolutions,” said Michelle Vandevord, Director of Saskatchewan First Nations Emergency Management. “It tests a little bit of their skills. It’s a little bit with the hoses, the nozzles, dexterity. They’re wearing their PPE, so their turnout gear.”

The first place winner from this year’s competition moves on to the First Nation National Competition that will be held in Calgary in October for the National Indigenous Fire Service Council Conference and Competition.


This year’s competition witnessed two new teams-Cumberland House and Little Red—coming in to make the competition tougher. Other teams that participated included Hall Lake and Fond du Lac, who sent two teams each, and Black Lake.


“It was real joy having some new teams come in this year who are doing exceptionally well,” Vandevord said. “We’re so happy to have some new teams.”


She also used the opportunity to thank the volunteers and all who supported the Competition in one way or the other.

She also thanked the Buckland Fire Department for doing the judging this year. Other organizations that supported the event included the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency, Sask First Nation Emergency Management, SAIT, Muskoday Volunteer Fire Department and Prince Albert Fire Department.


As much as the firefighters appreciated the competition, Vandevord said the camaraderie was almost as important.

“It’s a special time just to talk about our year,” she said. “That’s what today is really all about—everybody getting to know each other and the different fire departments from across Saskatchewan.”

–with files from Michael Oleksyn/Daily Herald

Prince Albert seniors lead the way in support for Terry Fox Run

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Prince Albert seniors lead the way in support for Terry Fox Run

The second annual Silver Fox Run kicked off at Points West Living on Sunday, Sept 7 at 10 a.m.

Residents who can’t run, but still wanted to support the Terry Fox Run, were encouraged to “walk or roll” their way down the street to raise money for cancer research.

“I’m fortunate to be here,” said Points West resident and cancer survivor Anne Neely. “It’s important to raise money for cancer (research) until we beat it.”

In addition to being a cancer survivor, Neely is also a longtime Terry Fox Run volunteer. In fact, she was a volunteer at the first Prince Albert Terry Fox Run back in 1983.

“They prepared for 100 people,” said Neely, who worked for the Canadian Cancer Society at the time. “So off to Little Red I go with the volunteers and 2 p.m. comes and there’s a lineup of trucks, buses, people on horseback, people on bicycles. I said, ‘oh my gosh, I need more help.’”

Cell phones didn’t exist at the time, so Neely had to trek back to her office in Prince Albert to make some phone calls. Many of the people she phoned were happy to help out, but they didn’t anticipate how long the event would run that day.

“When the dust settled, the volunteers said, ‘we’re going home,’” Neely remembered. “I said, ‘no you can’t go home yet. You have got to count and see how many (people) were there’ and it took so long.’”

Instead of the 100 they prepared for, Neely and the volunteers counted around 650 people. More than 40 years later, Neely is happy to see the event still going strong.

Sunday’s Silver Fox Fun drew 20 walkers and rollers. Together they raised $2,827 for the cause.

Michael Oleksyn/Daily Herald The group of walkers in the Silver Fox Walk and Roll pose on the steps of Points West Living Prince Albert before departing on Sept. 7.

“We just want to thank the people who donate and support us,” resident Dorothea Herron said.

“Some of us walk partway, and then don’t walk. We have family here too to help out.”

Resident Jean Hnidek said she and other residents have been following the Terry Fox Run for decades. She said it’s important to support the Terry Fox Foundation’s efforts.

“There are so many cancers of different kinds and they need a lot of research,” Hnidek said. “This is our way of helping by donating.”

The Terry Fox Run has been on for the past 45 years with the proceeds used in support cancer patients all across Canada.

–with files from Michael Oleksyn/Daily Herald and Jason Kerr/Daily Heral

BBBS PA celebrates Grandparents on National Grandparents Day

Uko Akpanuko
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BBBS PA celebrates Grandparents on National Grandparents Day

Uko Akpanuko

Daily Herald

Big Brothers Big Sisters in Prince Albert celebrated National Grandparents Day with an event tagged “Gratitude for Grandparents” on Saturday, Sept. 6 at the Prince Albert Heritage Centre.

“It’s important for us to give back to the community and to adopt one of the platforms set up by BBBS of bringing generations and bringing relations together,” said Lisa Bos-Atchison from Arbour Memorial , one of the sponsors of the event. “The Gratitude for Grandparents is important as well so we think this is a way out for those who want to create something and those who don’t have grandparents to give out to can express some joy to the seniors in the community with their gifts.”

The free family event included a heartwarming afternoon to recognize the wisdom, love, and legacy of grandparents and seniors in our community.


“We had a good crowd today and it was really good to do this. A lot of people actually wanted to bring in their families and it was an opportunity for intergenerational connections and appreciating each other,” Natasha Thomson, Development Coordinator Big Brothers Big Sisters, Prince Albert said.


The celebration started at about 12 p.m. and ended at about 4 p.m. The attendees and the grandparents enjoyed a variety of fun and meaningful activities designed to show appreciation for the elders in the community.

Attendees enjoyed a free BBQ lunch, cookie decorating, art card making. They created a Community Gratitude Wall and at the end of the event in a Mini Butterfly Fairy Garden as a gift to Grandparent or Senior.


The free event saw lots of grandparents in attendance as well as friends and families who turned up to celebrate the impact these seniors have had in their lives and in the community and gifts were given to the grandparents to brighten their day.

The wonderful and special event was made possible by the partnership of Prince Albert Heritage Seniors Centre, Saskatchewan Senior Fitness Association – Lakeland District, Prince Albert Memorial Gardens, River Park Funeral Home, Gray’s Funeral Chapel by Arbor Memorial, Mann Art Gallery, Marte’s Art – Artist Marte Grant, Prince Albert Daily Herald, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Prince Albert.

“To echo what Natasha has said with Big Brothers Big Sisteres, it’s bridging generations and bringing people together,” said Lisa Bos-Atchison from Arbour Memorial. “The gratitude for Grandparents is important, so we themed this in a way that for those who want to create something and don’t have a grandparent to give that too, we’re going to spread some joy to other seniors in the community.”


The organizers also used the opportunity to create 100 acts of kindness in our community for seniors and appreciate all the sponsors who made this event possible.

–with files from Michael Oleksyn/Daily Herald

Margo Fournier Arts Centre to host first free session on teaching

Uko Akpanuko
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Margo Fournier Arts Centre to host first free session on teaching

Uko Akpanuko

Daily Herald

The City of Prince Albert is inviting residents to an information session about teaching at the Margo Fournier Arts Centre.

The session will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 23, from 7-8 p.m. in the Heritage Room at the Arts Centre. Attendees will have a chance to meet Arts and Culture Programmer Shania Cabilao. She said the meetings will be a casual drop-in style open to anyone of any age with a passion for arts and culture.

“Our goal is to make arts and culture accessible, while also supporting the amazing talent we have in our community,” said Shania Cabilao, Arts & Culture Programmer in Margo Fournier Arts Centre. “This event is about transparency and collaboration. We want potential instructors to know they’ll be supported — whether it’s through fair pay, administrative help, or access to supplies — and that the Arts Centre is a welcoming space for everyone, including youth and new voices.”

The evening will feature a mix of presentation and interactive discussion, along with a guided tour of the Arts Centre. Copies of the instructor application form will be available, and current instructors may also share their experiences.

City of Prince Albert Arts and Culture Coordinator Tia Furstenberg said the idea is a recent development.

“Shania is new at the Arts Centre and she actually had this idea to host this information session that was open to anybody who has a passion for arts and culture just to come learn more,” Furstenberg explained.

The centre hopes to make this an annual event so that potential instructors and interested persons will constantly keep in touch with the centre and its programs.

“It’s always better to do that in person and meet the people who work here,” Furstenberg said. “We definitely want to do it again if it goes well.”

The Margo Fournier Arts Centre offers a wide range of programming under the umbrella of arts and culture. From pottery and painting to storytelling, music, and beyond, the Arts Centre welcomes ideas that inspire creativity, learning, and community building.

“I really want to encourage folks who have never even been to the Arts Centre to stop by and meet Shania and learn more about all the programs and amazing things that we offer here,” Furstenberg added. “Even if you don’t necessarily want to be an instructor, it’s still a great time to come and learn about the Arts Centre.”

The evening session will be free to all the attendees.

–with files from Jason Kerr/Daily Herald

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