June 2, 2026 Super Booster by The Camrose Booster

Titans of Tartans, 100 years of Legion

By Nadine Leming

Behind the unassuming façade of any local branch of the Royal Canadian Legion is a century of service to the community, fighting on behalf of veterans’ benefits and a living monument to those who have served the country.

As the Royal Canadian Legion celebrates its centennial, one Legion member in Killam has been inspired to gather as many bagpipers as he can to honour the organization. Delin Watmough is a dedicated member of the Killam Legion Branch No. 65 with a vision of having a large pipe and drum band play in the parade for the Killam Rodeo and one of many ways Legion branches around the country are recognizing 100 years of service.

Currently, Watmough has the Battle River Pipe and Drum Band as well as pipers from Grand Prairie, and will be talking to other pipers and bands in the region to accumulate as many bagpipe players as possible for the Killam Rodeo’s June 20 parade. He is inviting pipers and drummers that are interested in this festive occasion to join in. Pipers do not have to be affiliated with the Legion to be a part of this special project.

Watmough said, “The Legion, for the last 100 years, has sponsored pipe bands across the country.”

Jaywalkers’ Jamboree weekend

full of fun

By Adan Shaikh

Jaywalkers’ Jamboree is returning to downtown Camrose for another weekend of midway rides, live entertainment, shopping local and summer fun. The three-day festival begins June 5 with a pancake breakfast in support of Camrose Special Olympics, followed by a second breakfast on June 6 supporting BGC Camrose. The breakfast will be served from 7:30 to 10 a.m. at 50 Avenue and 50 Street on Friday and in the Scotiabank parking lot on Saturday.

Executive director of the Camrose & District Chamber of Commerce

Aaron Morris said more than 90 vendors have already signed up for this year’s event, including many well-known downtown businesses and exciting new ones.

Entertainment on the main stage will start at 10 a.m. and continue until 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and until 4 p.m. on Sunday. Jaywalkers’ Got Talent will also return this year, giving local performers a chance to showcase their skills with registration now open through the Chamber website. Entertainment will include dance performances, live bands and much more.

“As one of Alberta’s longest running outdoor street festivals, Jaywalkers’ is a highlight community event each year in Camrose,” said Morris. “It brings thousands of people into downtown Camrose to experience everything our community has to offer. It is an opportunity to support local businesses, showcase local talent and enjoy an exciting atmosphere filled with energy and community spirit, all while highlighting the vibrancy of downtown Camrose.”

Pre-sale midway ride tickets are available at the Chamber office, located in the Bill Fowler Centre at 5402 48 Avenue, as well as at Save-On-Foods, Canadian Tire and Wild Rose Co-op at discounted prices.

Organizers are also looking for additional volunteers to help throughout the weekend. More information, including Jaywalkers’ Got Talent registration details, can be found at www.camrosechamber.ca

By Adan Shaikh

The sixteenth Camrose Purple Martin Festival will take place on June 13, inviting the community to spend a day exploring wildlife, conservation and the fascinating world of Purple Martins.

Hosted at the Stoney Creek Centre, the festival will run from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will feature guest speakers, workshops, field trips and family friendly activities designed to connect people with the wildlife in the region.

The day begins with registration at 9:30 a.m., followed by a welcome and overview

of the festival before wildlife photographer and Edmonton Nature Club

executive director Gerald Romanchuk shares his presentation on Tracks, Cams and Cats. Romanchuk will share stories and photographs gathered from years of documenting cougar activity in Alberta. Using trail cameras and field research, he will walk attendees through the hidden lives of cougars living near Edmonton and explain how wildlife photographers and researchers track the elusive animals. While adults enjoy the informative presentation, children can

decorate their own nest box

Following a short break

presentations beginning at 11 a.m. Those interested in Purple Martins can attend Attracting Purple Martins in Alberta with Purple Martin steward Don Gregson. Another session, Managing a Purple Martin Colony, will focus on caring for colony houses and helping the birds thrive. Families and children can also take part in pond dipping activities hosted by the Battle River Watershed Alliance.

Lunch will be available for purchase before participants head out for a field trip to Pleasure Island at 12:45 p.m. Festival organizers encourage guests to carpool and convoy to the site for an up close look at Purple Martin habitat and nesting areas.

Next, a wildlife house investigation will take place at 1:45 p.m., where attendees will have the chance to examine Purple Martin housing and learn more about how the birds are monitored and protected. At 2 p.m., senior wildlife biologist and animal communication specialist Tyne Baker will present “Look Who’s Talking Now: The Science of Wild Communication”. Baker studies how animals use sound and communication to survive and interact in the wild. Her presentation will explore the hidden “voices”

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protect the region’s wildlife and natural spaces.

Overall

filled with children’s activities and educational activities including decorating bird houses, nature themed colouring, interactive learning stations and trade show booths.

The Camrose Purple Martin Festival is organized through the Camrose Wildlife Stewardship Society (CWSS), with the goal of bringing the community together to celebrate and

Kaitlin Christenson, green space and wildlife coordinator for CWSS, shared that the festival welcomes everyone from experienced bird enthusiasts to first time visitors looking to learn more about local wildlife and conservation efforts. Tickets can be purchased at the door by cash or cheques payable to Camrose Wildlife Stewardship Society. For more information and inquiries contact Kaitlin at kchristenson@camrose.ca.

Adan Shaikh, Camrose Booster

The Purple Martins have returned to Camrose County from their winter vacation in Brazil. The beautiful birds can be viewed at Stoney Creek Park, Camrose County Conservation Centre or at Pleasure Island Fishing Pond (pictured).

Titans of Tartans, 100 years of Legion

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He is very passionate about getting as many pipers as possible out to play for the parade. He wants this to be the largest gathering of bagpipers Killam has ever seen.

He also has colour parties coming from across the region and will have a float for any legion members wanting to participate but cannot march in the parade. The pipers

will help celebrate the 100 years of the Legion as well as the community as a whole. Though the Killam Legion is small, they are a mighty crew of people, dedicated to keeping the traditions of the Legion alive. They host a plethora of activities like pub nights, fundraisers and monthly markets on the third Tuesday of the month.

Watmough is also very passionate when he speaks about how the Legion does not only advocate for veterans, but also about how local Legions give back to their communities.

For those interested in more information on how to get involved with being a piper or drummer for this event, reach out to