Years of lobbying, fundraising, research and plain hard work has led up to the dedication of the Miners’ Memorial in Drumheller this Saturday.
“This is something we have been working towards for three or four years, from where the concept first started to take hold,” said Linda Digby, executive director of the Atlas Coal Mine National Historic Site. “These things always take longer than you think they will, but now all of the pieces are coming together for this weekend and we are so excited about that.
“There are some families who have been waiting 87 years for this, some have been waiting 50 years for this," said Digby adding that some will be coming from great distances to be part of the dedication.
The Miners’ Memorial was installed at the park beside the Civic Centre last November. East Coulee artist Marcel Deschenes is working on a mural to be unveiled on Saturday along with the dedication.
This will all culminate at the third annual modern May Day Weekend in Drumheller.
The Miners’ March will go on Saturday from the Badlands Community Facility, three blocks up to the memorial for the dedication.
Digby said the weekend offers “History, Mystery, Entertainment and Remembering,” and it is happening all over; from East Coulee to Carbon. All four elements are intertwined in many of the featured events.
Some of the mystery comes in with the Village of Carbon’s centennial project. It has created an interpretive display telling the story of the murder of John Coward, a mine owner who was slain almost a century ago.
“They put together a compelling and unique exhibit, with a very well researched story line. It lays out the mystery of how one of their own mine managers was murdered in 1921,” said Digby.
Another part of the mystery is Lothar’s downtown ghost walk. On Saturday evening he will be leading the curious though downtown’s mysteries.
“Not only is he a magician, but an active student of the paranormal and a history buff. So he sews all these things together for his historical walking tour downtown,” said Digby. “He is going to talk about some of the history, but also some of the unexplained mysteries of downtown.”
The weekend has entertainment in spades.
She says they are excited that Joe Vickers is launching the weekend at the Last Chance Saloon on Friday night.
On Saturday and Sunday, there will be all kinds of elements to keep residents and visitors entertained.
This ranges from cool sweet ice cream to a chance for miners and their descendents to show their meddle.
“Clan Wallace of Red Deer has thrown down the gauntlet and is challenging Drumheller to a test of strength,” said Digby. “Clan Wallace think they are descendants of Braveheart so they think they are really tough. But who is tougher than coal miners and their descendants?”
This is followed by a scavenger hunt throughout town.
Sunday is also packed with all kinds of fun including a Toonie Day at the Atlas Coal Mine, and an Open House at Midland Provincial Park.
At the East Coulee School Museum, the visual arts will be celebrated. Renowned photographer Lawrence Chrismas will be hosting a special exhibit and signing his book “Coal in the Valley.”
There will also be a short documentary being screened by an Alberta filmmaker called Ladies of the Saturday Night.
“This is done by a young videographer investigating some of the shady ladies of Drumheller,” said Digby.
Dana Inkster is an Alberta-based artist and worked with the Atlas to tell the story of a time when brothels were sewn into the social fabrics of the valley.
The weekend will end with vocalist Kjel Erickson performing at the Badlands Community Facility. This is presented by the Drumheller Music Festival Society.
“It will be a wonderful way to wrap up the weekend,” said Digby.
For the complete schedule of events, click here.
