The Village of Weldon is ramping up for this weekend’s grand opening of the Wes Petterson Memorial Playground, taking place on Saturday, September 21, 2024.
Fundraising started for the Weldon Playground Project in April 2024, and in five short months they have the playground completed and ready to go.
The memorial playground was planned to honour the late Wes Petterson, who was one of the victims of the mass stabbing event that took place in James Smith Cree Nation and Weldon on September 4, 2022.
The grand opening is taking place on Saturday, September 21, 2024. Events start with a free pancake brunch that will run from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Weldon Auditorium.
Starting at 11 a.m. and running until 5 p.m., this will be Weldon’s first show and shine.
“There will be kids activities such as bounty, castle, space, and painting, the Kinistino Fire Department is bringing their trucks, and there’s also going to be a petting zoo that will be running from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m.,” said Chelsey Erickson, one of the Weldon Playground Project organizers.
The James Smith leadership will be coming into help with the opening ceremonies and flag-raising ceremony, with Chief Kirby Constant, Chief Calvin Sanderson, and Chief Robert Head coming. Randy Hoback will also be in attendance and speaking at the grand opening ceremony.
A free barbecue supper will be held inside the auditorium starting at 5 p.m. with burgers, hotdogs, and salads. It will be followed by a free family dance that is starting at 7 p.m.
Don’t forget to bring your blankets and chairs to enjoy the fireworks that are taking place at dusk.
The grand opening event is sponsored by Metis Nations Saskatchewan.
To learn more, visit the Weldon Playground Project on Facebook.
(Photo’s supplied by Chelsey Erickson)