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]
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]
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.
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 51st edition of the Pysanka Festival is set to be held July 5, 6 and 7, 2024.
Vegreville Country Fair
The Vegreville Agricultural Society holds an annual five day "Country Fair" in August.
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 performing at the 2023 120th edition of the fair.
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.[citation needed]
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.
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.[citation needed]
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