Granum mayor Melva Stinson says there’s a letter on file — she thinks the museum might have it — from a lady “way back when” asking that Granum be made the capital of the newly-formed province of Alberta.

   “And why not,” Stinson asked. “We were bigger than Calgary back then.” It didn’t happen, but Granum is still the capital in the the hearts of those who live there.

   And the little town will mark 100 years of bigness with a celebration over the long weekend July 30-Aug. 1.

   “It’s an achievement worth celebrating; it’s not easy being a small town in the 20th century,” Stinson added. “But Granum is not just 16 blocks alone: it’s miles and miles around us.”

   Preparations for the big day have been in the making for months.

   “Our committee organized in December 2008, and has been having monthly (or more) meetings since that time,” Granum centennial committee secretary Shalaine Williams said.

   About 800 people are expected for the many events lined up for the three-day centennial festivities.

   Registration takes place Friday July 30 from 2-9 p.m. at the Granum Drop-In Centre followed by a meet and greet time at the Homesteader from 7-9 p.m.

   Then from 9-11 p.m. there’s a youth rock concert at the Homesteader. The Firespinners, a University of Lethbridge group spinning fire in hoops and batons, will perform from 9:30-10:30 p.m.

   Official opening ceremonies with former MLA LeRoy Fjordbotten speaking take place Saturday, July 31 at 9 a.m. in the Homesteader after a pancake breakfast from 7-9 a.m.

   Terry and Pat Henker, grandsons of Granum’s first mayor Felix J. Sandgathe, will be present, as well as former Granum mayor Mike Sherman, Livingstone-Macleod MLA Evan Berger, and Macleod MP Ted Menzies. At 11 a.m. a parade gets under way from the golf course along a route down Main Street.

   Then from 1-2 p.m. there’s a vintage fashion show in the school gym. Throughout the day other things lined up include grad photo viewing, trolley rides around Granum, pick-up softball, art and nibbles at the United Church, and a quilt show at the Lutheran church with a number of films and news footage from 1-4 p.m. at the Drop-In Centre. There will be children’s games with popcorn and face painting from 1-4 p.m. at the Homesteader.

   There will also be walking tours of historic Granum throughout the weekend. A beef-on-a-bun supper will be held Saturday from 5-7 p.m. at the Homesteader followed by a cake cutting ceremony with guest remarks from former mayor Mike Sherman.

   A family dance follows from 8-11 p.m, with the Firespinners performing again from 9:30-10:30 p.m.

   About 11 p.m. a fireworks display at the golf course and Granview Park winds up the day.

   Sunday’s activities start with a continental breakfast from 8:30-10:30 a.m. at the Homesteader followed by a church service at 11 a.m. At noon, picnic lunches will be on sale at the concession stand. From 1-4 p.m. Sunday there will be tours of the Granum cemetery, with pick-up softball, art and nibbles, and children’s games again. Closing ceremonies by former MLA Dave Coutts take place at the Homesteader at 4 p.m.

   The weekend concludes with a balloon release.

   Granum used to be called The Leavings, where bull team freighters stopped for water and to unload freight.

   It was a well established village by 1907, shipping out 500,000 bushels of grain from area homesteaders.

   That year, at the suggestion of its first MLA Malcolm McKenzie, its name was changed to Granum, the Latin word “granum” meaning grain. The community became incorporated in 1910, and now has a population of about 450. It’s the least populated community incorporated as a town in Alberta.