Don’t be surprised if you bump into activist Nellie McClung or frontier adventurer Lord Strathcona on Canada Day – the famous historical Canadians are all part of some new and interactive excitement coming to Cochrane’s Canada 150 celebrations.

“(They) bring some authenticity to Canada 150,” said Tracy Brooker, the town’s manager of recreation, culture and the arts.

There’s going to be a lot of really neat things happening this year.”

Bragg Creek’s Accolade Entertainment came up with the idea to have McClung and Strathcona, along with railway magnate William Van Horne, mingle with Cochranites during Cochrane’s July 1 festivities, which are themed this year to honour Canada’s 150th birthday.

Brooker said the living figures are a fresh way for kids to connect with a piece of history.

“They might have studied them in school, so it would be neat to (see them) in period costumes,” she said.

The characters are just one of many unique elements of a full day of free and family-friendly entertainment, food, games and revelry.

The 18th Canada Day celebration begins at 9 a.m. with a pancake breakfast at the Cochrane Legion, followed by a flag raising ceremony at 11 a.m. hosted by Mayor Ivan Brooker.

A Latino band will play music along First Street during the day, and officials will unveil a 40-by-8 foot, four-panel, 1,500-tile train-themed mosaic mural – featuring the work of more than 2,000 local artists and residents – at Centennial Park.

Fans of the piece, which is part of a larger, national mural project to commemorate the sesquicentennial, will be able to order limited edition prints on site.

For the second portion of the day, activities at Mitford Park begin at 4 p.m., with the first 150 people receiving a $1 Cochrane Dollar. This year, activities will continue until the fireworks at Mitford Diamonds at dusk, with a family dance party from 10 to 11 p.m. to keep visitors moving and grooving before the colourful sky show.

Beforehand, Barney Bentall and the Legendary Hearts will perform on stage, along with First Nations dancers and a bevy of local bands. A traditional tipi raising will also take place.

“It’s a great spectacle for people to see and watch how a tipi gets raised,” said Brooker, adding beadwork and dream catcher workshops will be hosted inside once the tipi is erected.

The Cochrane Immigration Committee will offer a variety of items and activities to showcase the town’s different cultural backgrounds.

The town usually hosts between 3,000 and 5,000 people over the course of the day – but this year, it’s preparing for an even larger crowd because of the Canada 150 connection.

Brooker said the town is putting out the call for more than 100 volunteers to help make the celebration as successful as it can be.

“150 (volunteers) would be nice,” said Brooker with a laugh, referencing the sesquicentennial connection. “Many hands make light work.”

Those with a bit of time to spare on Canada Day, or to help with cleanup on July 2, can call (403) 851-2534 to register.