Vegreville facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Vegreville
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Town
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| Town of Vegreville | |
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 Vegreville
Location in Alberta
Vegreville
Location in Canada
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| Country | Canada |
| Province | Alberta |
| Region | Central Alberta |
| Census division | 10 |
| Municipal district | County of Minburn No. 27 |
| Incorporated | |
| • Village | April 4, 1906 |
| • Town | August 15, 1906 |
| Area
(2021)
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| • Land | 14.08 km2 (5.44 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 635 m (2,083 ft) |
| Population
(2021)
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| • Total | 5,689 |
| • Density | 404/km2 (1,050/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC−07:00 (MST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−06:00 (MDT) |
| Forward sortation area |
T9C
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| Area code(s) | +1-780, +1-587 |
| Highways | Highway 16 Highway 857 |
| Waterways | Vermilion River |
Vegreville is a town located in central Alberta, Canada. It is about 103 kilometers (64 miles) east of Edmonton, which is Alberta's capital city. Vegreville became a town in 1906. That same year, the Vegreville Observer newspaper started, sharing news for the area.
Many people in Vegreville have Ukrainian Canadian family roots. The town is famous for the Vegreville egg, which is the world's second largest pysanka. A pysanka is a traditional Ukrainian Easter egg with beautiful designs.
Contents
Discovering Vegreville's Geography
What is Vegreville's Climate Like?
Vegreville has a humid continental climate. This means it experiences four distinct seasons. Winters are usually cold and snowy. Summers are warm, sometimes hot, with some rain. Spring and autumn offer milder temperatures.
Understanding Vegreville's Population
In 2021, Vegreville had a population of 5,689 people. These residents lived in 2,463 homes. The town's population was slightly lower than in 2016. In 2016, there were 5,708 people living in Vegreville.
The town covers a land area of 14.08 square kilometers (5.44 square miles). This means about 404 people live in each square kilometer.
Who Lives in Vegreville?
Here's a quick look at the people in Vegreville:
- Age Groups:
- Kids and teens (0 to 19 years old): 26.3%
- Adults (20 to 64 years old): 50.3%
- Seniors (65+ years old): 23.3%
- Main Languages Spoken:
- English: 4,185 people
- French: 105 people
- Other languages: 1,015 people
Exploring Vegreville's Economy
Vegreville is an important business hub for northeastern and east-central Alberta. Its economy includes several key areas. These include farming, energy, and shopping.
The town has a strong farming community. They grow various crops and raise livestock. The energy sector is also vital, mainly focusing on oil and gas. This helps the area's economy grow. The retail sector provides many goods and services. This supports both local residents and visitors. This mix of industries helps Vegreville stay strong and active.
Arts and Culture in Vegreville
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Vegreville has a special connection with the 41 Combat Engineer Regiment. This is a Canadian Forces Reserve unit from Edmonton. Because of this bond, the Regiment has the "Freedom of the Town." This means they can march through the town with pride. They often do this on Remembrance Day.
What is the Pysanka Festival?
The Pysanka Festival is a yearly event in Vegreville, Alberta. It celebrates the town's rich Ukrainian heritage. The festival happens over a weekend in July. It offers many fun activities.
You can find folk art workshops and live music. There are also traditional Ukrainian dance shows. Plus, you can try different Ukrainian foods. Local artists and sellers also show off their handmade items.
The festival started in 1973 as a small gathering. Its goal was to keep Ukrainian culture alive in Vegreville. Over time, it grew into a big event. Thousands of visitors now come from all over Canada and beyond. The festival has hosted famous performers. It has also had special themes, like "Year of the Family" in 1994. This theme highlighted the importance of family in Ukrainian culture. The Pysanka Festival is a big part of Vegreville's identity. It also helps with tourism and brings the community together.
The 51st Pysanka Festival is planned for July 5, 6, and 7, 2024.
What is the Vegreville Country Fair?
The Vegreville Agricultural Society hosts an annual "Country Fair" every August. This fair lasts for five days.
The Fair begins with a parade on Main Street. Many groups, businesses, and people join in. They show off old vehicles, farm equipment, horses, and wagons. There are also many colorful parade floats. After the parade, the Fair continues with lots of activities. These include a midway (with rides!), grandstand shows, chuckwagon and chariot races. There is also a marketplace and many other events for everyone to enjoy.
After the COVID-19 pandemic, the fair was made longer. It used to be three days, but now it's five. In 2021, the 118th Annual Country Fair welcomed 21,006 people. This was a big increase from the 12,000 people who came in 2019. The 119th Annual Country Fair in 2022 featured a concert by Gord Bamford. In 2023, Dean Brody performed at the 120th edition of the fair.
Popular Attractions in Vegreville
Vegreville is home to a famous pysanka. This is the world's second largest Ukrainian Easter egg. It was built in 1974 to celebrate two things. First, it marked 100 years of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Second, it honored Vegreville's diverse cultural background. On July 6, 2009, the pysanka was featured on a Canadian stamp. It was one of four attractions on the first set of "Canadian Roadside Attractions" stamps.
Media and News in Vegreville
Vegreville has its own weekly newspaper called the Vegreville News Advertiser. This newspaper has been around since 1950 and is owned independently. The town also has a local radio station, Country 106.5.
Important Infrastructure in Vegreville
The town is divided by the Canadian National Railway's Vegreville Subdivision. This railway line connects Vegreville to Edmonton in the west. It also links to Lloydminster in the east.
Famous People from Vegreville
Many talented people have come from Vegreville. Here are a few:
- Kyle Brodziak, an NHL hockey player.
- Cam Cole, a well-known journalist.
- Laurence Decore, a Ukrainian Canadian lawyer. He was a former mayor of Edmonton and a political leader.
- Daymond Langkow, a former NHL forward.
- Don Mazankowski, a politician who served as Deputy Prime Minister of Canada.
- Brent Severyn, a former NHL defenseman.
- Valerie Sweeting, a professional curler.
