Prince Albert Branch No. 2 Royal Canadian Legion. (Alison Sandstrom/paNOW Staff)

By Alison Sandstrom

Celebrating At A Distance

P.A. Legion will host drive-in fish fry for Canada Day

Jun 24, 2020 | 1:37 PM

The Prince Albert Legion’s Canada Day celebrations will look a little different this year in light of COVID-19 gathering restrictions.

Canada Day chairman, Brenda Cripps, told paNOW Wednesday will be only the second time since 1966 the local legion hasn’t celebrated the nation’s birthday with festivities at Kinsmen Park. The first cancellation, in 2015, was due to heavy smoke from Northern wildfires.

Instead, they’re preparing for a fish fry, as well as their regular Canada Day draw.

On July 1 between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., the public can drive in to the Legion parking lot, where their order will be taken, and then delivered to their car window. There’s no need to get out of the vehicle. But Cripps said they’ll also have an option for people who come walking, as many of their regular patrons are seniors who live in the surrounding building.

“Come on down and have a little fun,” Cripps said. “Drive through, or sit in the parking lot and yell at your neighbour across the way and visit.”

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While some Legion branches across the country are expected to close permanently as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Cripps said the Prince Albert branch had suffered a financial hit but would be okay.

“We had some money in our bank account to carry us through,” she said. “But some of our smaller branches sadly probably aren’t going to be reopening.”

Wednesday’s fish fry will run from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Legion parking lot at 133 8th St. E. Winners of the draw will also be announced that evening. Grand prize is $3,000.

Burgers will also be available for those who don’t like fish.

Editors note: a previous version of this story stated the fish fry would begin at 3 p.m. It has been amended to include the correct start time.

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alison.sandstrom@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alisandstrom