Vegreville

Vegreville /ˈvɛɡrəvɪl/ (Ukrainian: Веґревіль) is a town in central Alberta, Canada. It is on Highway 16A approximately 103 km (64 mi) east of Edmonton, Alberta's capital city. It was incorporated as a town in 1906,[6] and that year also saw the founding of the Vegreville Observer, a weekly newspaper for the region.[7]

Vegreville
Town
Town of Vegreville
Vegreville egg
Vegreville egg
Vegreville is located in Alberta
Vegreville
Vegreville
Location of Vegreville in Alberta
Vegreville is located in Canada
Vegreville
Vegreville
Vegreville (Canada)
Coordinates: 53°29′44″N 112°03′06″W
CountryCanada
ProvinceAlberta
RegionCentral Alberta
Census division10
Municipal districtCounty of Minburn No. 27
Incorporated[1] 
 • VillageApril 4, 1906
 • TownAugust 15, 1906
Government
[2]
 • MayorTim MacPhee
 • Governing bodyVegreville Town Council
 • MPShannon Stubbs (Lakeland-Cons)
 • MLAJackie Armstrong Homeniuk (Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville-UCP)
Area
 (2021)[3]
 • Land14.08 km2 (5.44 sq mi)
Elevation
[4]
635 m (2,083 ft)
Population
 (2021)[3][5]
 • Total5,689
 • Density404/km2 (1,050/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC−07:00 (MST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−06:00 (MDT)
Forward sortation area
T9C
Area code(s)+1-780, +1-587
HighwaysHighway 16
Highway 857
WaterwaysVermilion River
WebsiteOfficial website

A large percentage of Vegreville's population is of Ukrainian Canadian descent, and it is home to the Vegreville egg, the world's second largest pysanka (Ukrainian Easter egg).[8][9][10]

Geography

Climate

Vegreville experiences a humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification Dfb).

Climate data for Vegreville
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high humidex 9.1 6.7 19.1 26.2 31.4 36.8 38.7 40.1 32.9 25.3 17.6 11.0 40.1
Record high °C (°F) 10.3
(50.5)		 15.0
(59.0)		 19.1
(66.4)		 29.0
(84.2)		 33.5
(92.3)		 35.7
(96.3)		 35.4
(95.7)		 34.7
(94.5)		 35.5
(95.9)		 28.5
(83.3)		 19.0
(66.2)		 11.3
(52.3)		 35.7
(96.3)
Average high °C (°F) −7.9
(17.8)		 −5.1
(22.8)		 0.1
(32.2)		 10.7
(51.3)		 17.4
(63.3)		 21.2
(70.2)		 23.1
(73.6)		 22.8
(73.0)		 17.0
(62.6)		 9.7
(49.5)		 −1.3
(29.7)		 −6.4
(20.5)		 8.4
(47.1)
Daily mean °C (°F) −13.3
(8.1)		 −10.8
(12.6)		 −5.1
(22.8)		 4.3
(39.7)		 10.3
(50.5)		 14.4
(57.9)		 16.6
(61.9)		 15.6
(60.1)		 10.1
(50.2)		 3.5
(38.3)		 −6.3
(20.7)		 −11.8
(10.8)		 2.3
(36.1)
Average low °C (°F) −18.6
(−1.5)		 −16.5
(2.3)		 −10.3
(13.5)		 −2.2
(28.0)		 3.2
(37.8)		 7.7
(45.9)		 10.1
(50.2)		 8.3
(46.9)		 3.2
(37.8)		 −2.8
(27.0)		 −11.1
(12.0)		 −17.1
(1.2)		 −3.8
(25.2)
Record low °C (°F) −44.9
(−48.8)		 −46.5
(−51.7)		 −42
(−44)		 −32
(−26)		 −10.7
(12.7)		 −3
(27)		 2.0
(35.6)		 −3.5
(25.7)		 −10.8
(12.6)		 −23
(−9)		 −36
(−33)		 −42.5
(−44.5)		 −46.9
(−52.4)
Record low wind chill −57 −58 −51 −30 −15 −5 0 −3 −13 −25 −44 −52 −58
Average precipitation mm (inches) 15.1
(0.59)		 11.0
(0.43)		 15.9
(0.63)		 21.3
(0.84)		 37.1
(1.46)		 60.6
(2.39)		 76.3
(3.00)		 51.8
(2.04)		 40.5
(1.59)		 12.8
(0.50)		 12.9
(0.51)		 12.3
(0.48)		 367.5
(14.47)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 0.6
(0.02)		 0.3
(0.01)		 0.9
(0.04)		 15.6
(0.61)		 34.4
(1.35)		 60.6
(2.39)		 76.3
(3.00)		 51.8
(2.04)		 40.4
(1.59)		 7.6
(0.30)		 1.4
(0.06)		 0.2
(0.01)		 289.9
(11.41)
Average snowfall cm (inches) 14.8
(5.8)		 10.7
(4.2)		 14.6
(5.7)		 5.7
(2.2)		 2.7
(1.1)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.1
(0.0)		 5.2
(2.0)		 11.5
(4.5)		 12.2
(4.8)		 77.5
(30.5)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) 6.8 5.0 5.5 6.5 8.8 12.4 14.2 10.4 9.9 6.7 6.4 5.7 98.0
Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm) 0.44 0.2 1.0 4.8 8.4 12.4 14.2 10.4 9.9 5.3 1.5 0.36 68.7
Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm) 6.4 4.9 4.9 2.2 0.62 0.0 0.0 0.04 0.04 1.8 5.2 5.4 31.5
Source: Environment Canada[11]

Demographics

In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of Vegreville had a population of 5,689 living in 2,463 of its 2,735 total private dwellings, a change of -0.3% from its 2016 population of 5,708. With a land area of 14.08 km2 (5.44 sq mi), it had a population density of 404.0/km2 (1,046.5/sq mi) in 2021.[3]

In the 2016 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of Vegreville recorded a population of 5,708 living in 2,429 of its 2,734 total private dwellings, a -0.2% change from its 2011 population of 5,717. With a land area of 14.08 km2 (5.44 sq mi), it had a population density of 405.4/km2 (1,050.0/sq mi) in 2016.[12]

The Town of Vegreville's 2012 municipal census counted a population of 5,758,[13] a 1.3% decrease over its 2010 municipal census population of 5,834.[14]

Economy
See also: Economy of Alberta

Vegreville functions as a key economic center for the northeastern and east-central regions of the province, with its diverse economic sectors encompassing agriculture, energy, and retail industries. As a significant agricultural hub, Vegreville boasts a thriving farming community that cultivates a variety of crops and supports livestock production. The local energy sector, primarily driven by oil and gas extraction, plays a crucial role in the area's economic growth, while the retail sector offers a range of goods and services, catering to both residents and visitors alike. This multifaceted economy enables Vegreville to maintain a robust and dynamic economic landscape, contributing to the overall prosperity of the region.

Arts and culture
Vegreville, 1924

Due to Vegreville's close relationship with the 41 Combat Engineer Regiment, a Canadian Forces Reserve unit based in Edmonton, the Regiment is the only Canadian Forces unit with Freedom of the Town and parades held on Remembrance Day in the town.

Pysanka Festival

The Pysanka Festival is an annual cultural event in Vegreville, Alberta, that celebrates the region's rich Ukrainian heritage. Held over a weekend in July, the festival features a wide range of activities and attractions, including folk art workshops, live musical performances, traditional Ukrainian dance performances, and a diverse selection of ethnic cuisine. Additionally, the event provides a platform for local artisans and vendors to showcase and sell their handcrafted products.

First established in 1973 as a small community gathering, the Pysanka Festival aimed to preserve and promote Ukrainian culture in Vegreville and its surrounding areas.[15] Over the years, it has evolved into a significant event, drawing thousands of visitors from across Canada and beyond. The festival has hosted various renowned performers and artists throughout its history and has embraced themed celebrations, such as the "Year of the Family" in 1994, which emphasized the importance of family within Ukrainian culture.[16] As a key contributor to Vegreville's cultural identity and tourism industry, the Pysanka Festival fosters community pride and unity.

The 50th edition of the Pysanka Festival is set to be held July 7, 8 and 9, 2023.

Vegreville Country Fair

The Vegreville Agricultural Society holds an annual five day "Country Fair" in August.

The Midway, as seen at night, lit up by the bright and colourful lights of amusement park rides.
Vegreville Country Fair Midway

The Fair starts with a parade on Main Street, which includes participation from various associations, businesses, and individuals who display antique vehicles, farm equipment, horses, wagons, and a variety of parade floats. After the parade, the Fair continues with a wide range of activities such as a midway, grandstand shows, chuckwagon and chariot races, a marketplace, and many other events for attendees to partake in.

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the fair was extended from previously being a three-day event, to five days. This welcomed 21,006 people who attended the 118th Annual Country Fair in 2021,[17] a significant increase from the previously seen 12,000 people who attended the fair in 2019. The 2022 119th Annual Country Fair welcomed Gord Bamford for a "Special Event Concert" with Dean Brody announced for the upcoming 2023 edition of the fair in August.

Attractions
See also: Vegreville egg
Vermilion River in Vegreville

Vegreville's pysanka, the second largest Ukrainian Easter egg in the world,[8][18] was created to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in 1974 and to celebrate Vegreville's ethnic heritage. On July 6, 2009, the pysanka was one of four attractions featured on the first set of the Canadian Roadside Attractions Series of stamps issued by Canada Post.[19]

Media

Vegreville is serviced by the Vegreville News Advertiser weekly newspaper, an independently-owned newspaper established in 1950.

Infrastructure

The town is bisected by Canadian National Railway's Vegreville Subdivision, a rail line connecting Vegreville to Edmonton in the west and to Lloydminster in the east.

Notable people

Season 4, episode 14 of Fox Television's The X-Files series entitled "Memento Mori" references Vegreville. FBI Agent Fox Mulder realizes the town name is the password needed to hack into a computer after discovering a Vegreville pysanka souvenir snow globe on the desk next to the computer.

See also

References
  1. "Location and History Profile: Town of Vegreville" (PDF). Alberta Municipal Affairs. October 7, 2016. p. 695. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
  2. "Municipal Officials Search". Alberta Municipal Affairs. May 9, 2019. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  3. "Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities)". Statistics Canada. February 9, 2022. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
  4. "Alberta Private Sewage Systems 2009 Standard of Practice Handbook: Appendix A.3 Alberta Design Data (A.3.A. Alberta Climate Design Data by Town)" (PDF) (PDF). Safety Codes Council. January 2012. pp. 212–215 (PDF pages 226–229). Retrieved October 9, 2013.
  5. "Population and dwelling counts: Canada and population centres". Statistics Canada. February 9, 2022. Retrieved February 13, 2022.
  6. Vegreville Board of Trade. For you: a few facts about the Vegreville District in Central Alberta.
  7. Choriawy, Cathy (1989). Commerce in the country : a land use and structural history of the Luzan grocery store. Edmonton: Alberta Culture, Historical Resources Division. p. 20.
  8. Giant Pysanka
  9. Pysanka Museum
  10. Kolomyia Sights | Pysanka Museum | Easter Egg Museum
  11. Environment Canada—Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010, accessed December 12, 2015
  12. "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2016 and 2011 censuses – 100% data (Alberta)". Statistics Canada. February 8, 2017. Retrieved February 8, 2017.
  13. "2012 Municipal Affairs Population List" (PDF). Alberta Municipal Affairs. 2012-11-22. Retrieved 2012-12-14.
  14. "2010 Official Population List" (PDF). Alberta Municipal Affairs. 2010-09-15. Retrieved 2011-01-19.
  15. "Vegreville Pysanka Festival". pysankafestival.com. April 5, 2023. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
  16. "Bohdan Medwidsky Ukrainian Folklore Archives". Ukrainian Folklife Archive. April 5, 2023.
  17. Fortier, Rosanne (August 11, 2021). "118th Annual Vegreville Country Fair was a Huge Success". Vegreville News Advertiser. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
  18. Pysanka Easter Egg in Vegreville, Alta.
  19. Canada Post Stamp Details, July to September 2009, Volume XVIII, No. 3, p. 10
  20. Morris, Jim (December 3, 2013). "Sweeting, Martin among the unbeaten" (PDF). Morning Roar. No. 3. Retrieved December 18, 2015.

Further reading
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