'It looks pretty good, eh?': Claresholm, Alta., erupts with pride ahead of Canada Day
The normally quiet, calm community of Claresholm, Alta., is bursting with red and white pride these days.
Three weeks ago, the town started a Canada Day decorations contest for downtown businesses ahead of celebrations.
Not only have business owners jumped on board, they're pulling out all the stops.
"It just blew up and everyone joined in and before we knew it, everybody, including the gas stations, homes, cars and businesses, (all of them) were partaking," said Megan McClung, engagement co-ordinator for the Town of Claresholm.
"I think it just kind of brought this feeling of unity and pride and everyone just kept jumping on."
From window paintings to flags galore, it's hard to pass through Claresholm, Alta., these days without being overcome with Canadian pride.
This is the first time the town has put on the contest.
Those taking part paid $10 to compete, with the money going toward this Saturday's July 1 celebrations.
The contest winner will be named Claresholm's most Canadian business and get a big lunch party provided by the town.
"This is a wonderful way to show 'Go Canada' and we are like that inside ourselves, but we just don't show it as much," said Karen Linderman, local lawyer and partner at Linderman Law Office.
"So this is a great time to actually show that Canadian pride that we have."
From window paintings to flags galore, it's hard to pass through Claresholm, Alta., these days without being overcome with Canadian pride.
"It looks pretty good, eh?" added Shauna Anderson, owner of The Nail Lady nail salon.
"Plus, it really encouraged a lot of local shopping. We get our Canada Day flags from Dollarama, Dollar Store, Home Hardware, all of the stores, so we're putting the money back into the community (and) it's great."
From window paintings to flags galore, it's hard to pass through Claresholm these days without being overcome with Canadian pride.
From window paintings to flags galore, it's hard to pass through Claresholm, Alta., these days without being overcome with Canadian pride.
It's not just the businesses getting in on the action -- so are residents who say it's nice to see the town come together as a community.
"Seeing all the communities get together and getting up all the flags and all the decorations on the windows, I like it," said Jammie Bixby, who's been living in Claresholm for the past two years.
"It's awesome," said a group of local ladies who all work at the Claresholm Pharmasave.
"It is amazing that everybody got right into it, this year. It's great. Just decorations everywhere."
From window paintings to flags galore, it's hard to pass through Claresholm, Alta., these days without being overcome with Canadian pride.
Despite it being the inaugural year for the Canada Day decorations contest, the hope is to see it grow bigger and bigger every year to come.
The Town of Claresholm will do another decoration contest in August for the Claresholm Fair Days, with this year's theme being The Good Old Days.
From window paintings to flags galore, it's hard to pass through Claresholm, Alta., these days without being overcome with Canadian pride.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
She's still busy at 105. What secrets and science are behind Canada's 'super agers'?
There is ongoing research to better understand the relationship between social connection and healthy aging, and why the brains of super agers look different compared with their peers.
Travellers watch as WestJet cancels flights with no end to mechanics strike in sight
Travellers flying with WestJet continue to watch as the airline cancels more flights due to a sudden strike by its mechanics union.
Thousands gather in downtown Toronto for one of Canada's largest Pride parades
One of the country's largest Pride events will culminate Sunday with a massive celebration.
Is it cheaper to take time off work or send kids to summer camp?
It's a conundrum parents are faced with every summer: What should their children do during their break?
Faulty brakes, airbag systems: Here are the cars recalled in Canada
Transport Canada recalled various vehicles over the last week, including Kia, Toyota, Volkswagen and Porsche cars.
Time crunch, rules mess could plague a Liberal leadership race
Calls have intensified for Justin Trudeau to resign as head of the party he almost single-handedly pulled back from the brink after a decimating electoral defeat in 2011.
Centuries of stories, from some of Canada's centenarians
The Canadian Press has spent the past month interviewing some of Canada's more than 11,000 centenarians and their families. These are some of their stories.
How will Louisiana's new Ten Commandments classroom requirement be funded and enforced?
Even as a legal challenge is already underway over a new Louisiana law requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in classrooms, the details of how the mandate will be implemented and enforced remain murky.
'This amount of stress is awful': B.C. woman says senior relatives stranded in Calgary amid WestJet strike
A Maple Ridge, B.C. resident says her mother and mother-in-law’s first trip to Canada has ended on a frustrating note after their flight home was suddenly cancelled amid a strike at WestJet.