Neil Cramer, a member of the Edmonton House Brigade, fires his antique flintlock muzzle loading musket at Fort Edmonton Park on Saturday May 25, 2019, where the park that leads you through four historical periods between 1846 and 1929, held its 50th Homecoming Anniversary at the park’s Blatchford Air Hanger.
Larry Wong / Postmedia
Fort Edmonton Park took a break from renovations Saturday, re-opening for one day only to celebrate the facility’s 50th anniversary.The park, which leads visitors through four historical periods between 1846 and 1929, is closed to the general public until May 2021. But for one sunny afternoon the general public was allowed in to enjoy a barbecue and a full slate of activities.Events at the anniversary celebration included Indigenous and cultural entertainment, a bouncy castle and a historical costume parade. Guests who arrived in their best 1864-1920 period wear had a chance to win a prize. A peek at the park’s history was also on display, as a video documenting the park’s first 50 years was played throughout the afternoon at the Capitol Theatre.In addition, the celebration gave attendees the chance to be a part of history by putting their own message in a new time capsule that won’t be opened until 2069. The first time capsule was buried on the park grounds in 1969.The enhancement projects involves a $165-million upgrade on utilities, the front entrance, an expansion of the Selkirk Hotel and the 1920s Midway, and the addition of a new Indigenous Peoples Experience.