There is no doubt Canada Day is a big deal in Vauxhall each and every year.
Last Thursday’s celebration proved July 1 is just as popular as ever in town, as people flooded events like the demolition derby to celebrate our nation’s birthday.
Certainly, the derby is one of the main draws of the day, as people come from all nearby communities to watch the spectacle, which has its fans among the young and old alike.
But with the pancake breakfast, parade, activities for the kids, supper and fireworks, Canada Day in Vauxhall  is an event few other small towns can beat.
The wall-to-wall entertainment at the July 1 event keeps people in town for the holiday, and puts a big feather in Vauxhall’s cap.
But in order to pull off such a major event, which includes a series of attractions throughout the day, a small army of dedicated volunteers are needed every year.
This people give their time to not only work during the day, but spend countless hours organizing in the weeks and months that lead up to Canada Day.
They sometimes sacrifice their enjoyment of the day, as it would a lot easier to just sit back and watch everything, to make sure others have as much fun as possible.
There needs to be an acknowledgement of those volunteers, who make it all happen.
Last but not least, the festivities serve another important role, a many local groups use it for fundraising. This year, minor sports organizations will benefit from money raised, which in times like these where money is growing increasingly tight for these groups, is certainly welcome.
It all adds up to an important day that acts to boost the town’s spirits, provide some much-needed entertainment and help local groups sustain themselves.