Fire on Friday Presents: Party in the Park!

Fire on Fridays - Finding Community during COVID-19

In 2020 the world was hit with fear and uncertainty amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Like many communities around the world, Sunalta saw a dramatic rise in feelings of loneliness and social isolation. 

In 2021, The Sunalta Community Association responded to the needs of the community and began a program where residents could gather safely outdoors, in a open and welcoming space and once again engage in human interaction. This program was Fire on Friday.

Every Friday from 3:00PM-5:00PM Sunalta residents would leave their homes and gather in the Sunalta Community Wildflower Garden and connect. 

During a hard time, this program made things feel a little easier. 

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Fire on Friday Presents: Party in the Park​

As challenges raised by the pandemic began to fade and people gradually returned to work, this program saw a decrease in engagement. People were no longer craving a neutral, casual space to gather with their neighbours.

Not wanting to remove a program that at one time had meant so much to so many, the SCA connected with 3 dedicated residents and friends of Sunalta who were Fire on Friday regulars that saw the value in creating opportunities for people to gather, meet their neighbours, and have fun! 

On May 19th, the first ever Party in the Park was held! With music provided by Sober Crew food from Sensei and OLEA bar, and funding from the City of Calgary. We had an amazing turn out of over 40 residents and friends! We could tell we had created something special and once again captured the spark first created by the early Fire on Friday meetings. 

On the 4th Friday of every month in 2023 summer, Sunalta held a regular Party in the Park event, where community could gather in the Sunalta Wildflower Garden for food, fun, and friendship.

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Are you interested in providing live music/entertainment for one of our programs? Please contact grace@sunalta.net

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