Sure, not being able to cheer on Jason Glass, Mark Sutherland, Jordie Fike and company at the Rangeland Derby during the opening week of July is disappointing.
And certainly Canada Day was not the same without the Millarville races, the Blackie parade and general all around fun from cake to baseball to fireworks in Okotoks.
However, all of those cancellations — including the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth — were needed as Canada tries to control the COVID-19 pandemic.
One only has to look at the headlines from the United States as COVID-19 numbers skyrockets due in large part to not harsh enough restrictions.
Let’s hope Canada’s neighbour to the south doesn’t face even higher numbers after the July 4 festivities.
However, despite the doom and gloom, Okotoks — as well as the rest of Alberta — seems to slowly be returning to somewhat normal.
The opening of the spray park brings more than relief from the summer heat to toddlers and children. It’s a show of confidence that things are slowly getting back to the days that used to be.
There are other signs as well — the Okotoks cinemas are open, farmers’ markets are springing up quicker than spinach in a community garden, and a great sign of summer — the Okotoks Dawgs Academy are actually playing baseball games.
Of course, all of these events have stringent rules because of COVID-19.
Stringent and needed.
If Okotoks and Foothills residents — and businesses— stray from these rules, it could mean a spike in COVID cases and shutdowns.
Sure, we won’t see wagons race and fingers are crossed that Charlie Power and the Calgary Stampeders will hit the field.
However, Alberta is not there yet. Patience is needed and rules have to be followed.
