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Government of Alberta

Celebrate Alberta Kick-Off Party

Let's get the party started!

Steady rain, gusting wind and finger-numbing cold weren’t enough to keep over 25,000 hardy Albertans from joining Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh to kick-off Alberta’s centennial celebrations.

Even though weather conditions forced the afternoon’s entertainment to be cut short, the rainy Victoria Day was an authentic and warm Alberta welcome for the Royal Couple. Huddled under tarps and umbrellas, the crowd cheered as The Queen entered the stadium and cut the official birthday cake signaling the beginning of Alberta’s 100th birthday celebrations. The Royal Couple then joined the crowd in watching performances from Alberta artists including Michael Carey, Senator Tommy Banks, Jens Lindemann, the Black Pioneer Heritage Singers and the White Buffalo Dancers and Drummers. As a touching finale, Ian Tyson sang Four Strong Winds with back up from the singers and other performers whose acts were cancelled due to the rain.

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh spent three days in Alberta to help celebrate the centennial. In addition to the Centennial Kick-off Party on May 23, The Queen also visited the Provincial Museum of Alberta, the Alberta Legislature and Edmonton City Hall and attended a public concert event in Calgary. The Duke of Edinburgh also visited Alberta’s oil sands.

Royal Visit 2005 Highlights

  • Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh were officially welcomed to Alberta at the Centennial Kick-off Party at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton.
  • Premier Ralph Klein announced that Highway 2 between Edmonton and Calgary will be renamed Queen Elizabeth II Highway.
  • His Royal Highness visited Fort McMurray to tour the oil sands.
  • The Queen designated the Provincial Museum of Alberta as the Royal Alberta Museum.
  • A series of centennial stained glass windows highlighting the role of the Monarchy in Alberta over the past 100 years are unveiled in the Alberta Legislature.
  • The Queen becomes the first reigning monarch to address the Alberta Legislature.
  • Thousands of royal-watchers greeted the Queen on walkabouts at the Legislature and Edmonton City Hall.
  • The Royal Couple attended centennial celebrations at Pengrowth Saddledome in Calgary. Alberta

    • Performers
    Over 1,500 Albertans will take to the stage to display our province's rich cultural heritage.