Maple Creek was a fun place to live last Saturday, as the Jasper Cultural and Historic Centre hosted its Lunasa Festival for the day.
  
Families were able to bring their kids to the arts and heritage institution in the heart of Maple Creek for a fun-filled day. A series of bouncy castles, floating hamster balls big enough to climb in, super jumpers, and a water balloon slingshot showdown arena were a few of the draws for the day.
 
Helping organize everything and everyone was David Jenkins, the museum manager for the Jasper Cultural and Heritage Centre. 

David Jenkins (right) stands beside his fellows from the Jasper Cultural and Historic Centre. David Jenkins (right) stands beside his fellows from the Jasper Cultural and Historic Centre. 

“We want people to come here and feel that this is a place where they can see friends and neighbours,” said Jenkins. “We also want to have some fun, while at the same time being respectful of our mandate within the museum.” 

The bouncy castles were huge and sprawling, with many children having the time of their lives. The bouncy castles were huge and sprawling, with many children having the time of their lives. 

In that aspect, all the games were kept outside, while inside the museum was open to the curious public to explore, and to partake in a book sale going on inside.  
 
Other attractions outside included food vendors, and a small market being hosted over by the big yellow train car in the back.  

Stalls were set up with tents, thankfully protecting their operators from the blistering sun.Stalls were set up with tents, thankfully protecting their operators from the blistering sun.

“We hope to make a little bit of money on this which will be diverted back into the museum for operations and all the things we need to do with our arts and heritage institution with regards to the building,” said Jenkins.  

The building itself is 123 years old and needs regular upkeep. A few years ago, the roof needed to be redone and cost around $100,000 to replace. More recently, the front steps were redone, expanding them and offering more space. Credit for that work belongs to Prairie Concrete out of Medicine Hat.  

Food trucks and and trailers were also a huge hit, with the crowd looking for cool refreshments throughout the day. Food trucks and and trailers were also a huge hit, with the crowd looking for cool refreshments throughout the day. 

“They were in deteriorating condition and they these are great,” said Jenkins. “People like to mill about on them as they want to linger, and often they end up on that step. Now they have a little bit of space to do it.” 

The profits of the Lunasa Festival will be shared between the arts and heritage institution and Bounce of Fun of Medicine Hat, who brought out all the games and bouncy castles for the day.  

“Dan Hamilton, is who's put the whole show on,” said Jenkins. "He's owns all these games you see outside and we're just taking a cut of the profits. No specific monies were raised for this event [to put it on].” 

The name of the festival itself is interesting. Lunasa is an Irish Gaelic word and refers to an end-of-summer celebration traditionally held by people of that decent.  
 
“A few of us here come from Irish backgrounds and we just like the idea of an end-of-summer festival,” said Jenkins. “Of course, it's certainly not just for the Irish. It's a festival open to anybody and everybody.” 
 
The plan is to make this an annual event, helping bring everyone out to the Jasper Cultural and Historical Centre, and raising money for the building and its events. It will also help to further cement the institution as a cornerstone of the Maple Creek community. 

 

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