This release was issued under a previous government.
There’s much to see and do for the entire family at this year’s Ukrainian Day, co-hosted by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress - Alberta Provincial Council. The festival pays respect to pioneer families who settled in east central Alberta more than 120 years ago. The festival includes family-friendly activities like a youth soccer tournament, children’s craft tent, jumpy castle, scavenger hunt and free horse-drawn wagon rides.
“As a province, it’s important to celebrate our heritage and continue to tell the Alberta story. This event honours Ukrainian settlers who helped shape Alberta’s earliest history, a legacy that continues to resonate today. I encourage Albertans to take part in this great event and explore this fascinating history first-hand at this award-winning museum.”
Special Events
- 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. —The day kicks off with a pancake breakfast hosted by the Friends of the Ukrainian Village Society.
- 9:30 a.m. — Special services begin at the site’s three churches.
- 11:15 a.m. — A commemoration of east central Alberta’s early pioneer families at the Centennial Pioneer Monument.
- 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. – The Ukrainian Village Food Festival will offer a sampling of traditional and contemporary treats.
- 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. — A concert packed with entertainment will kick off the afternoon featuring Edmonton’s own Dunai Ukrainian dancers and local musical talent, Euphoria band.
Other activities throughout the day include a village market, musicians, and costumed role-players bringing the stories of Alberta’s Ukrainian pioneers to life. This year’s theme, “For Our Children,” honours the work of visual artist Peter Shostak, who dedicated many years to painting depictions of life for early Ukrainian settlers in Canada.
Visitors are encouraged to add to the colour of Ukrainian Day by wearing traditional dress, and to bring a lawn chair for the concert.
Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village
The Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village is an outdoor living history museum that tells the story of Ukrainian settlement in Alberta from 1892 to 1930. Visitors step back in time with the help of costumed role-players who portray the lives of actual pioneers. The museum welcomes approximately 43,500 visitors annually to explore more than 35 historical buildings. Operated by Alberta Culture and Tourism, the Village is located 25 minutes east of Edmonton on Highway 16.