Thousands of pilgrims flock again to Lac Ste. Anne

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It all began more than 100 years ago, and it may be one of the oldest continuous events in Western Canada. The Lac Ste Pilgrimage is held each year in the third week of July and attracts thousands of people annually to the waters thought to be sacred and healing.

People attend the pilgrimage for many different reasons. Some like the gospel music and church services held each day over the course of the week. Some come to visit with friends in the tents, RVs, and other vehicles crowded in pasture land near the lake's shore.

Rod Lorenz is administrator and organizer of the Lac Ste. Anne pilgrimage. He said more than 40,000 people attended this year's six-day event.

"That is including people who just came for the day and people who stayed at a hotel or motel in Edmonton or in one of the surrounding communities."

Despite the crowd, this year's pilgrimage went well.

"There were no major problems this year. I thought there was a peaceful feeling in the air. We had excellent weather compared to other years. One year it was so hot and dry that there was a fire ban and another year it was rainy and wet, so this year was great," he said.

Next year the pilgrimage area will be declared a national historical site and Lorenz said that there will be events that will celebrate the recognition.