Hundreds of people filled Douglas Park in Langley City today (Saturday June 17) for the free annual Community Day Celebration, the official kick-start to summer in the City of Langley.
In celebration of Canada’s 150th birthday, the Community Day Committee made the national anniversary this year’s theme.
A ball hockey rink provided by Christian Life Assembly was operating in the recreation centre parking lot, open to all.
“There’s hockey,” said mayor Ted Schaffer, who was sporting a bright red Canada jersey and carrying a Canadian flag.
“You can’t get more Canadian than that.”
Visitors to the park at 20550 Douglas Cres. could also experience a ride in the RE/MAX hot-air balloon, community booths, a small farmers market, a teen activity zone, a kids activity zone with an inflatable bouncy castle, slide and large inflatable balls that children could run inside, BBQ fundraiser, live music and dance.
And one of the highlights, the Junior Firefighters Challenge, put on by Langley City firefighters.
Youngsters had a chance to slip on child-size firefighters’ gear, use the hose and take on an obstacle challenge with the assistance of adult firefighters.
The high point appeared to be the moment when they were allowed to turn on a fire hose.
Community Day, now in its third decade, was started by then-mayor Mayor Marlene Grinnell as a way of promoting non-profit community services and has expanded beyond its original definition, adding organizations and events.