After a one-year hiatus, Sparwood’s Coal Miner Days is making a return this month from June 6 to 13.

President of the Sparwood Coal Miner Days Society, Marcia Johnson said there’d been a lot of hoping that event could go ahead.

“We’re so excited. Everyone’s been sitting around twiddling our thumbs waiting for the opportunity to get Coal Miner Days going.

“We followed Fernie’s lead, and we watched how Griz Days went this year. And the moment we saw Griz Days was a success, we decided that we were going to do it.”

Coal Miner Days was cancelled in 2020 as a result of the pandemic, and in 2021 will be a little different because of all the ongoing COVID-restrictions, but Johnson said there was plenty to look forward to.

The schedule for the week involves movie nights, food trucks at the mall and a reverse parade on Douglas Fir Rd on Saturday June 12, and a 50/50 draw to help Coal Miner Days get itself it’s very own mascot.

The reverse parade of Douglas Fir Rd is designed for locals to drive by and enjoy the floats. No foot traffic will be allowed in order to keep the community safe.

“It is very exciting to bring some excitement to our community, and colour back into our little valley, and give people something really fun to look forward to.

“Every year we try to make it a little bit different and change is a little. This year with the reverse parade and the different things we’re doing, it might set a pretty good precedent for future events.”

Johnson, who has been president of the Sparwood Coal Miner Days Society for 13 years said the event meant a lot to her and the community in raising awareness of all the great things about Sparwood.

“I love bringing people together in celebration of our community.”

For more information about Coal Miner Days, head over to their website at coalminerdays.com, or follow them on Facebook where all updates on events will be posted.

“We’re excited to see peoples smiling faces and hear their horns honking, and them cheering and really celebrating our community. It’ll be a nice escape from our houses, and to be able to come together separately and enjoy everything that’s happening.”

READ MORE: Griz Days goes off without a hitch