On October 1,  the City of Airdrie will host a free Homecoming Festival to welcome back the community and show appreciation for the vital services, first responders, and neighbourhood businesses.

The fun-filled tailgating event will feature football games, kids and youth activities, motivational wellness talks, fireworks, and a drive-in outdoor movie! The day's thrilling high point will be a performance with Canadian musicians Scarlett Butler, The Blake Reid Band, Lisa Brokop, Julien Austin, and Kyle McKearney at Ed Eggerer Athletic Park in the evening.

“The last two and half years have been tough, both economically and mentally, for our residents, businesses, essential workers, and first responders,” says Mayor Peter Brown. “I’m excited about what the Homecoming Festival represents; being on the other side of the pandemic. The Festival is an opportunity to thank people for their hard work, connect them with the resources they may need, and a chance for us to get back together in person as a community.”

In response to the pandemic, the Canadian government launched a Commemorate Canada funding grant in December 2021 for local communities all around the nation. Airdrie was given $75,000 to assist the Homecoming Festival, which is slated to take place on October 1, in conjunction with Mental Health Week, according to confirmation the City received on July 7, 2022.

The goal of the Commemorate Canada awards is to give Canadians more opportunities to commemorate their nation's recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and to foster a sense of pride and belonging. The recipients of the awards should also take advantage of the chance to honour those who have made contributions to the COVID-19 response and accomplishments, as well as to encourage the resurgence of the local economy through secure in-person events.

Residents can find more details about the festival and the schedule of events as they become available at www.airdrie.ca/homecoming.

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