Centennial of Alberta Federation of Labour marked with great day at Fort Edmonton Park

Finding a fun event for the whole family just got a whole lot easier, thanks to the Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL) and Alberta unions.

The AFL is celebrating its centennial, and the highlight of a year of events around the province will be a full day of activities for all Albertans to enjoy at Fort Edmonton Park on June 16.

“We’ve spent 100 years building a better life for working Albertans and building a better province. We figured it’s time to party – that’s why we have planned the Party of the Century at the park,” says Gil McGowan, president of the AFL, which represents 145,000 workers.

Fort Edmonton Park offers visitors experience a taste of life in Alberta between 1846 and 1929, with costumed interpreters telling stories, answering questions and bringing history alive. Visitors can also take a ride on steam train or visit the Midway for rides, games and more fun.

To mark the centennial of the AFL, a number of extra activities are also planned, including a series of concerts by award-winning singers and musicians, as well as lots of activities for kids. All of these activities are included in the cost of admission to the park. The AFL and the City of Edmonton are making 4,000 park admission tickets available to members and invited guests at a reduced price of only $5. These are available by contacting the AFL at 1-800-661-3995 or at afl@afl.org.

Musical performers include:

• Maria Dunn, a storyteller through song who has been nominated for Juno and Canadian Folk Music Awards. She’ll perform a special show called Troublemakers, which documents the history of working people in Alberta from 1900 to 1950, depicting the resilience and hope that carried them through experiences of immigration, internment, exploitation and the Great Depression;

• Souljah Fyah, a Juno-nominated Edmonton reggae band that has been honoured with a Western Canada Music Award, Canadian Reggae Music Awards and Reggae Music Achievement Awards;

• Audio/Rocketry, an acoustic, folk/punk group that has been described as “combining a DIY punk ethos and a love for roots music”;

• The Rault Brothers Band, led by Lionel Rault, who has been one of Alberta’s favourite folk-roots musicians for 30 years and has shared the stage with performers including John Hiatt, Taj Mahal, J.J. Cale, John Lee Hooker, Bo Diddley, the Staple Singers and more.

• Terry Morrison, whose music spans the range from jazzy folk to country. She has toured extensively throughout Canada and the U.S. and has performed at many Canadian folk fests including Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto’s Mariposa Festival, Vancouver Island Music Fest, Frostbite in the Yukon and both the North and South Country Fairs of Alberta; and

• Notre Dame des Bananes: Often called “Edmonton’s most dangerous choir,” the Notre Dame des Bananes has brought together trade unionists, social activists, socialists and social democrats since it was formed in 1979. Since then, it has been delighting crowds with songs (many written by choir members) of protest, social justice and trade struggles, victories, heroes and villains.

Events for children include:

• Face painters;

• Balloon makers;

• Pony races;

• Plinko game;

• Sack races; and

• Crafts.

“Albertans have always worked hard, but we know how to have a good time, too,” says McGowan. “I can’t imagine a better way for families to learn about what we have achieved and have a great time than attending our Party of the Century!”

TIME: 10:30 a.m. – midnight, Saturday, June 16

LOCATION: Fort Edmonton Park

EVENT: Party of the Century! AFL celebrates centennial with full day of events for the whole family to enjoy.

-30-

CONTACT: Gil McGowan, AFL president, 780-218-9888