After the first one in 2025 was such a success, Ukrainian Day in Prince Albert will return to Lit-tle Red River Park on Sept. 12.
Organizing committee member Charlene Tebbutt said last year’s event was well received, and showed how important it was to put on another.
“The first one we had a great crowd, it was beautiful weather, it was a lot of fun and it’s some-thing that we would like to keep doing,” Tebbutt said.
“We had great participation from our local community clubs from lots of volunteers and newcomers from Ukraine and so it’s something that we’d like to keep doing.”
She said this year’s format will be similar to last year’s, but instead run from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. after running later into the evening last year. Entertainment will include dancers and singers including the Veselka Choir, Yevshan Ukrainian Folk Ballet Ensemble, the Meath Park and District Ukrainian Dance Club.
She said that Yevshan, which is a popular Ukrainian Dance group from Saskatoon was great to have returning for a second year.
“They’re so good,” Tebbutt said. “I shared a post from them the other day where they’re just starting their season. They’re getting going, lots of dance groups are, but we’re excited to have them back. It’s going to be really good to have them.”
They will also have the Bandura Ensemble Chirvona Kalyna from Saskatoon and Poet Darcy Blahut. Prince Albert Northcote MLA Alana Ross and Mayor Bill Powalinsky will be on hand to deliver greetings again. “It should be a really great day in the park. Hopefully we’ll have really nice weather again on the 12th,” Tebbutt said.
There will also be activities for children and families including cultural tents.
“We’ll have the Motanka dolls again, which last year were so popular and we have the Early Childhood Intervention Program Council coming. They’ll have some activities for kids,” Tebbutt said.
They will also have Dr. Alan Anderson who recently published a book on Ukrainian immigration to Saskatchewan called Hromda: The Changing Ukrainian Community in Saskatchewan.
Tebbutt said the first Ukrainian Day in Prince Albert was so successful because it was fun for those in attendance and the volunteers.
“It was a lot of fun for us to participate as volunteers and be able to join together as a communi-ty. We had a lot of participants from all kinds of different backgrounds,” Tebbutt said. She said that with music and activities people were able to learn about Ukrainian traditions and participate in any way possible. “I think it was just a really good time,” Tebbutt said.
“It’s a great, it’s a beautiful park and … it’s such a great atmosphere,” Tebbutt said. She said the City of Prince Albert has been very helpful for the second event.
“They’ve been really great at helping us coordinate details, making sure we’re all set up and the stage is in a great location. The city has been very, very helpful and supportive,” Tebbutt said.
She said that the government has been supportive through passing the From Many People’s Many Strengths act in April.
“The Government of Saskatchewan has been supportive as well in bringing in the From Many People’s Strength Act, which of course recognizes cultural organizations and faith groups and their proclamations for weeks and that sort of thing. And so they brought that in April,” she said.
Because of this act September has been proclaimed Ukrainian Heritage Month in Saskatchewan.
“September, of course, is the month the first Ukrainian immigrants arrived in Canada in 1891.So The government of Saskatchewan has been supportive,” Tebbutt said. As well during the City Council meeting on Aug. 24 the City officially proclaimed Sept. 12 as Ukrainian Day in Prince Albert.
Tebbutt said the event is free and will feature Ukrainian food and some food vendors.
“Just bring a lawn chair. I know last year some folks wanted to sit on a chair and it would be great if they brought a lawn chair and just joined us for the afternoon because it should be a lot of fun for us again. Please come out,” Tebbutt said. Ukrainian Day in Prince Albert is at Little Red River Park from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12.
