The La Ronge Children's Festival was nearly cancelled in 2023 due to a lack of volunteers. (Facebook/La Ronge Children's Festival)

By Derek Cornet

national holiday

La Ronge council looking for Canada Day organizer

Feb 11, 2025 | 5:00 PM

The annual La Ronge Children’s Festival on Canada Day won’t go ahead in 2025 as in previous years.

Organizers of the event announced last month they wouldn’t be going forward with it. At a regular town council meeting on Monday, administration asked what role they should play if another group doesn’t come forward to host it.

“The Children’s Festival has put on a valuable service and event for years and so without that happening, we’re really asking about what the expectation would be for our involvement in Canada Day festivities for this year?” asked Community Services Manager Connor Tessier.

“Typically, on our own, we will facilitate a parade, some kind of activity at the children’s festival and we will do fireworks in the evening, but it is flexible year-to-year. Some years we and councillors have done a pancake breakfast down at Patterson Park, there’s been some years where the town has supported the Children’s Festival more than others, but there is always some sort of partnership there in order to support their event, so without them really spearheading it and doing the bulk of the coordination, we’re not sure what the expectation is for the town to commit to.”

The Children’s Festival usually costs organizers between $15,000 to $20,000 to host and the town currently has $5,000 earmarked for this year’s event. Funds to host the event come from a variety of sources including organizations and businesses.

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Organizers have stated the reason they decided not to move ahead with the event in 2025 mostly has to do with issues of finding enough volunteers to make the day a success.

“Bottomline, I think there has to be something for the children,” said Mayor Joe Hordyski. “I know the one year we didn’t have it, there was just something missing.”

Hordyski noted it would be a good idea to involve Air Ronge council on the planning, as well as commit to hiring entertainment for the event so at least that portion of the day is covered.

Council seemed eager to find a solution for Canada Day events if no other organization does step forward to host it.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com