The committee for the celebration of the centennial of coal mining revived the tradition of May Day in the Valley, and it is back better than ever.
May Day was always an important date for the community, particularly the mining community. While it was not recognized for decades, last year during the centennial celebration, a parade, music and festivities enlivened the community. This year they have brought it back. While traditionally the celebration is on May 1, organizers have selected the first weekend in May, after all it will take a weekend for all that is planned.
Linda Digby of the Atlas Coal Mine said the 2nd Annual May Day Miners’ Festival! is a joint project with the Atlas Coal Mine, Midland Provincial Park, Downtown Merchants, Town of Drumheller, Homestead Antique Museum, East Coulee School Museum, Drumheller Public Library, volunteers, and artists. Another interesting partner is the Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL).
“We have eight partners actively working together to bring the miners’ festival and I think one of the most exciting pieces is the concert and the Alberta Federation of Labour and the School Museum are working actively to make that part happen,” said Digby.
The AFL is celebrating its own centennial and part of that is a concert series across Alberta featuring the Troublemakers, led by Alberta songwriter Maria Dunn. The Drumheller concert is on Sunday, May 6 at the East Coulee School Museum, and will also feature Joe Vickers.
Digby said they have worked along with the AFL on research projects, as mining played a role in the birth of the labour movement. They have been working together on this idea since last fall. Digby said they introduced the AFL to the idea of including Joe Vickers.
“The leader had a chance to hear Vickers sing some of his mining music in Edmonton and was extremely impressed. I think if they had the capacity to send both Maria and Joe on tour they would. We are lucky for the Drumheller part of the Tour Joe is going to be joining Maria, which is amazing.”
Leading up to Sunday’s concert there are a ton of activities planned.
On Saturday morning at 11 a.m. the Miner’s March will proceed on Centre Street in downtown Drumheller. This is a march of miners and miners’ families who will parade to remember those who toiled underground.
This will lead into a street festival in the core, which will include music from the Wayfaring Fiddlers, a barbecue and ice cream, and a show and shine. They will also hold an outdoor fruit dance and the first “Outhouse Games.”
Later on in the afternoon at 4 p.m. there will be a Mine Family Reception at the Badlands Community Facility. This will feature the historic photo exhibit Through the Lens: The Coal Mining Years. Lawrence Chrismas will also be signing copies of Coal in the Valley, his 2011 book chronicling Drumheller mining history and many of the faces.
At 8 p.m. there will be a Cemetery tour. This is first for the festival and proceeds fro donations will go to the Miners’ Memorial.
Throughout the weekend the Midland Mine Office will be open and a volunteer will “Tell it like it was”, spinning yarns of the coal mining days. The Homestead Museum will be hosting “Mining on the Moon,” a demonstration of the Calgary Space Workers Society’s lunar village.
Throughout the Atlas Coal Mine and the East Coulee School museum will be offering free admission to miners and their families.
There are a number of events on Sunday leading up to the concert. This includes more miners’ stories at the Rosedale Suspension Bridge, the Wayne memorial and the Atlas Coal Mine the Atlas coal Mine will also be hosting kids events in the afternoon including the kids Treasure Dump and Pony cart rides.
For more information go to www.atlascoalmine.com.
