Waskatenau facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Waskatenau
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Village
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| Village of Waskatenau | |
 Waskatenau
Location in Alberta
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| Country | Canada |
| Province | Alberta |
| Region | Central Alberta |
| Census Division | 12 |
| Municipal district | Smoky Lake County |
| Incorporated | |
| • Village | May 19, 1932 |
| Area
(2021)
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| • Land | 0.59 km2 (0.23 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 362 m (1,188 ft) |
| Population
(2021)
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| • Total | 247 |
| • Density | 421.1/km2 (1,091/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC−7 (MST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−6 (MDT) |
| Highways | 28 831 |
| Waterways | North Saskatchewan River |
Waskatenau is a small village located in central Alberta, Canada. It is surrounded by Smoky Lake County. The village is about 90 kilometers (56 miles) northeast of Edmonton. The name Waskatenau comes from the Cree language. It means "opening in the bank." This refers to a gap in a nearby ridge where the Waskatenau Creek flows. The name is pronounced "wuh-SET-nuh."
People Living in Waskatenau
In 2021, the Village of Waskatenau had a population of 247 people. These residents lived in 118 homes. This was an increase from its 2016 population of 186 people. The village covers a land area of 0.59 square kilometers (0.23 square miles). This means there were about 421 people per square kilometer in 2021.
Home Run For Life Softball Games
Waskatenau is famous for trying to set a world record for the longest continuous game of softball. These special softball games were called "Home Run For Life." They were held to raise money for two hospitals in Edmonton. These hospitals were the Cross Cancer Institute and the Stollery Children's Hospital.
In June 2005, the first marathon game lasted 60 hours and 4 minutes. It raised $75,000. This unofficially held the world record for a short time. Another team in Quebec broke it less than a day later.
Waskatenau tried again in 2007. They played for 108 hours and 3 minutes, from June 27 to July 1. This game raised over $91,000. However, the Guinness Book of World Records did not accept this record. There were some technical reasons why it was not approved.
Finally, in 2009, the third "Home Run For Life" game was a success! They played for 115 hours and 3 minutes. This game ran from June 30 to July 5. It raised more than $110,000. This time, Waskatenau officially set the Guinness-approved record for the "longest game of softball."
History of Waskatenau
In the 1880s, this area was known as Wah-Sat-now. This name also came from the nearby gap in the land. A Cree band called Wah-Sat-Now lived there in the 1880s. They later moved to the Saddle Lake reserve.
The new spelling, Waskatenau, became common around 1920. At that time, a railway line was built. It connected Edmonton to St. Paul. Waskatenau became a train station along this new line. It was located between the towns of Radway and Warspite. The Village of Waskatenau officially became an incorporated village on May 19, 1932.
