The long summer days make it a magical time up here and we like to mark it by celebrating the midnight sun on the Summer Solstice. The northern sky stays a light azure blue all night long and on a clear night, you can read a newspaper outside with out any artificial light. 

So Bruce won't be suspicious this year we will have the solstice party for family and far away friends at my house on the 21st. On June 20th, Saturday will be his big party celebrations.It will be hosted at my friends', Darwin and MaryAnn Eckstorm's farm north of town.

Darwin and MaryAnn have an annual Solstice party celebrated on the Saturday closest to the day. This year we have agreed to we combine resources and include Bruce's birthday with their Solstice Party so it will truly be a SURPRISE!!!!!

Come prepared to greet the first day of summer with all the indulgent, summer trimmings, food, drink, music and dance. As usual, BYOB (bring your own babe, boy, bottle, bongo, bugle, bassoon...) We will supply the food.

Saturday, June 20 4PM  Party Starts with the erection of the Solstice tree at the Eckstrom farm 4:30ish Bruce arrives 5:30  Bison Burger BBQ  7PM  Birthday cake 8PM  Bonfire Grande Prairie College Jazz band to dance away into the midnight sun

Sunday, June 21 11ish Brunch at a chosen restaurant 2PM  Polo game (cancelled due to wet field conditions) 7PM Dinner at CL's

Monday, June 22 Free day to sight see, (Uncle Murray you could visit the Weyerhaeuser pulp and paper mill) You are welcome to stay on as long as you like.

I was well aware that it was a two party weekend. I was a bit suspicious that something special was going to happen at the Sunday party. I had no idea the surprise would be at the Eckstrom's party and that it would involve people from across Canada!

Unbelievable when I opened a cabin door to see Howard from Calgary, Emma from Edmonton, Cliff & Pat from Qualicum Beach, Eric & Linda from Langford, Brian, Bruna, Kyi & Kaidon from Mississauga. Then Uncle Murray from Montreal strolls onto the scene. Later Francoise & Carika arrived from South Africa via Rocky Mountain House.

And what a great weekend. The weather cleared up perfectly for Ecksrom's annual solstice party Saturday night. The Grand Prairie Regional College Jazz Band played on the veranda. Click on the picture below to see a video of them playing. Note the song: A Day in the Life of a Fool

There is aways an entertaining collection of people and animals around Cled's 'farm' that contains two polo fields and 35 horses, goats, donkeys, sheep and a lama. Bruna said staying there made the trip. A special thanks to Cled and Vivian for their generous hospitality.