City of Great Falls, Montana
City of Great falls, Montana is situated 296 kilometers (185 miles) directly south of Lethbridge.
City of Great Falls is the last city in the USA going north on the Can-Mex Highway while
Lethbridge is the first city in Canada along this same route.
Official Seal of City of Great Falls, Montana
44th Annual "Ice Breaker Road Race"
April 28th, 2024
Members of the Lethbridge Twinning Society attended in Great Falls, Montana on April 27 & 28 and participated in the 44th annual Ice Breaker Road Race. We were welcomed to Great Falls by Mayor Cory Reeves.
The excellent weather made for an enjoyable race and great opportunity of meeting and greeting many Great Falls residents in the spirit of "Sister Cities" relations.
The advantage of our Sister City relations is of course, our close proximaty to eachother, a mere 2 1/2 hour drive, albeit, crossing the international border at Sweetgrass, Montana.
We always have a warm reception and the opportunity to spend quality time with our neighbours to the south. This year was no exception as our visit not only strengthened our relations but set goals and plans for more opportunities to advance our relations.
EDL signs MOU with Great Falls Development Alliance
May 11th, 2024
By Delon Shurtz - Lethbridge Herald.
Herald photo by Delon Shurtz Trevor Lewington of Economic Development Lethbridge and Brett Doney of Great Falls Development Alliance shake hands after the signing.
It’s been said, two heads are better than one, so why not two cities?
Economic development organizations from Lethbridge and Great Falls, Mont. are joining forces to strengthen and diversify the food, agriculture, bioprocessing and energy industries in both regions, and they met Friday in Lethbridge to make the partnership official.
“We’re very excited to partner with Great Falls,” Trevor Lewington, chief executive officer of Economic Development Lethbridge, said during a meeting at Tecconnect on the northside. “They’re a very similar economy to ours, very similar investment priorities to us.”
Lewington and Brett Doney, president and CEO of Great Falls Development Alliance, signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at helping the two organizations learn from each other and share strategies they use for investment, business retention, and innovation.
“The MOU is about collaboration and cooperation,” Lewington said. “We think somewhat similar to our friends in Great Falls, they approach business the same way, we have similar priorities. The MOU basically just says we are committing to each other to work more collaboratively together.”
Lewington said neither city is internationally well-known, but the two organizations working together can create a regional attraction strategy, and give international companies options that best suit their needs, whether in Canada or the U.S.
Agri-food processing, for example, is a key priority for both regions, Lewington said, and if they are talking to a European processor that wants a presence in North America but doesn’t understand the difference between operating in Canada and the U.S., the economic partners can provide two proposals together.
“Canada has some trade agreement advantages depending on where the final market might be, the U.S. has some different cost advantages depending on what the process or the ingredient might be.”
Lewington acknowledged there will be some friendly competition as the two regions jointly explore the opportunities.
“We certainly will put up a good fight to make sure that we put our best foot forward.”
Doney said the Great Falls Development Alliance serves not only Great Falls, but the region right up to the Canada-U.S. border. He said he met Lewington several years ago and joined the Economic Development Alberta Association, and they began looking at the similarities between the two regions, particularly in agriculture, food and agri-processing.
Doney said many businesses, farmers and ranchers are already conducting cross-border business, and a partnership will benefit existing businesses and even entrepreneurs.
“We don’t see each other as competitive regions,” he said.
AS part of the MOU, both EDL and GFDA agree to twice-annual cross-border visits to explore each other’s regions, visit appropriate businesses, learn from each other’s successful policies and promote local resources and the benefits of doing business in each region.
They agree to host an event at an industry trade show to promote the partnership and the benefits of doing business in the Lethbridge-Great Falls corridor, and to promote the partnership in each other’s individual media strategies with shared letterhead.
The partners will also encourage the participation and cooperation of other non-profits organizations in the regions, including, but not limited to, Tourism Lethbridge and Great Falls Tourism, and their respective chambers of Commerce.
“The Great Falls Development Alliance is excited to partner with Economic Development Lethbridge on one of the first cross-border partnerships between economic development organizations in the United States and Canada,” Doney said. “With this memorandum of understanding between our two organizations, we hope to better assist companies who currently do business in both of our communities, and those companies who want to explore new markets. We will also forge ahead with co-marketing opportunities of the Great Falls-Lethbridge corridor as an attractive region to start, grow or relocate a business.”
City of Great Falls - The 43nd Annual "Ice Breaker Road Race"
April 23rd, 2023
Join thousands of runners, joggers, and fitness walkers who enter the race each year. The five-mile road race offers a competitive format with a three-mile run offering both a competitive and recreational format.
One of Montana's Premier Running Events
The race has been named one of the top 100 road races in the country by Runner's World Magazine. Geared toward both families as well as experienced and elite runners, it offers a 5-mile race, 3-mile run, and a 1-mile run/fitness walk.
The Ice Breaker has attracted an average of 3,600 participants each year and is not only a fitness and competitive event but also has been a social event for the community for over 40 years. All race participants are provided a long-sleeved T-shirt, awarded a finisher medal, 2023 specially designed race bib, and a bagged lunch. There will also be online race results, online photo galleries, and chances to win prizes.
Register for the Race!
Registration forms are available online.
2023 Race Results will be available online after race.
We extend a warm welcome for everyone to join us in the "Ice Breaker Road Race" this year. For more information, please call 403-381-0038 or visit the Ice Breaker Road Race web site.
Harold Pereverseff
President LTS
42th Annual "Ice Breaker Road Race"
23 and 24 April, 2022
After a solid 2 years (Due to Covid-19) the "normal activities" related to the Lethbridge Twinning Society, have been greatly curtailed. It is finally time to "break the ice" and we will be doing so in a unique way! We are going to one of our "Sister Cities" Great Falls, Montana on April 23 and 24 to participate in the 42nd Annual "Ice Breaker Road Race". This low key, fun event gives the opportunity of racing in a one mile, two mile or three mile (and/or combinations of all three) events. 3,500 participants are expected. The last "Ice Breaker Road Race" was in 2019. It too had been canceled for two years due to Covid-19.
Members of the Lethbridge Twinning Society will be attending as will the authentic Japanese Taiko group from Lethbridge, "Hibikiya" as they will perform at the event and other venues in Great Falls. We are always welcomed by the City of Great Falls and our "Sister Organization" the "Advisory Commission on International Relations (ACIR)". You will meet new friends, strengthen international relations between our two communities, get some excercise and perhaps win a prize!
We extend a warm welcome for everyone to join us in the "Ice Breaker Road Race" this year. For more information, please call 403-381-0038 or visit the City of Great Falls web site.
Harold Pereverseff
President LTS
Check out Advisory Commission on International Relationships Facebook page.
ACIR provides support, coordination, and exchange of information for international programs in the community of Great Falls, Montana.
41th Annual "Ice Breaker Road Race
October 4th, 2020
The 41st Annual Ice Breaker Road Race will be held Sunday, October 4th, 2020.
You are welcome to join our delegation of Lethbridge Twinning Society Members as we attend the annual "Ice Breaker Road Race" in our Sister City, Great Falls, Montana, USA.
We will travel down to Great Falls on Saturday and come home Sunday evening. For more details please visit:
https://icebreaker.enmotive.com/events/register/2020-ice-breaker-road-race
Join close to 3,600 runners, joggers and fitness walkers who enter the race each year. Participants range from recreational walkers, families enjoying an outing, to serious competitive runners. The five-mile road race offers a competitive format; and the three-mile run offers both a competitive and recreational format. Pacer the Penguin will be entered in the one-mile race and will be challenging kids of all ages.
Register online to participate!
40th Annual "Ice Breaker Road Race
April 27th and 28th, 2019
Members of the Lethbridge Twinning Society (LTS) along with the Japanese Taiko Group, “Hibikiya” travelled to our Sister City, Great Falls, Montana to participate in the 40th Annual “Ice Breaker Road Race”.
We were graciously welcomed by members of the City of Great Falls, Advisory Committee on International Relations. (ACIR). ACIR set up a venue for Hibikiya to perform on Saturday afternoon at the Holiday Village Mall. Hibikiya played for almost an hour and many residents of Great Falls had the opportunity of enjoying the performance. After the performance, we were invited to the home of one of the ACIR members where we were treated with great western hospitality, food and a wonderful visit. Members of LTS had taken a Canadian Flag that was donated to them by our Member of Parliament, Rachael Harder and we presented the flag to the ACIR. On Sunday morning, we woke up to a blizzard! Not an ideal day for a “road race” but none the less we were there! Hibikiya set up in the Great Falls, Civic Centre and began performing before the assembling crowd at noon. Hibikiya played hourly for 30 minutes each time and presented four performances. Organizers of the Great Falls Ice Breaker Road Race have already requested Hibikiya to come down for next year’s Ice Breaker Road Race! As for the Road Race this year, due to icy road ways, we decided not to do any of the running rather we participated in the “one mile” run/race this year…. we came home with no sprains or broken bones! Special thank you to the City of Great Falls, Parks and Recreation Department along with the ACIR for treating us so kindly!
L-R Charity Jacobson and Sandra Erickson from ACIR graciously receive the Canadian flag from the LTS. (Thank you MP Rachael Harder for donating the flag to us)
Performance at the Holiday Village Mall - Great Falls, Mt.
Performance at the Holiday Village Mall - Great Falls, Mt.
Performance at the Holiday Village Mall - Great Falls, Mt.
Great Falls lands spot on “Top 100 Best Places to Live” survey
March 07, 2019
Great Falls has been chosen as one of the top 100 best places to live according to a survey done by a website called Livability. Over 1000 cities were examined by data scientists and measured things such as economics, housing, amenities, demographics, and social and educational aspects. Please check out the article here for more information.
Beautiful, patriotic Great Falls
President of the United States of America, Mr. Donald Trump visit to Great Falls, Montana
July 05, 2018
July 05, 2018 the President of the United States of America, Mr. Donald Trump, visited our Sister City, Great Falls, Montana. Most of the excitement and activities were hosted at the Four Seasons Center. As noted in the photographs of his visit, there was an excellent rally turnout and a great patriotic spirit. Considering that Great Falls, Montana has a population less than Lethbridge (approximately 75,000) it was a great honour to that community to have a visit from their President. We congratulate the City of Great Falls on this huge event.
President of the United States of America, Mr. Donald Trump addressing a crowed rally
Great Falls, Montana on July 05, 2018
Details on our visit to Great Falls Montana
April 21st, 2018
On April 21st a delegation of 23 residents of Lethbridge travelled to our Sister City, Great Falls Montana.
Members of the Lethbridge Twinning Society and Members of "Hibikiya" (Lethbridge's authentic Japanese Taiko group) formed this delegation.
We were warmly greeted by Charity Jacobson of the City of Great Falls, Advisory Commission on International Relations (ACIR) and members of ACIR on Saturday afternoon at the "Every Day IGA" store where the City of Great Falls winner of the 2017 "Lethbridge Get-A-Way" (Scott Gillespie) works. Hibikiya set up their set in front of the Every Day IGA store and presented a half hour, Taiko Drum performance. Many residents came out to hear the performance. After the performance we all got together for dinner at a wonderful Great Falls local restaurant.
On Sunday, Hibikiya was welcomed to the stage at the City of Great Falls, Civic Centre by Patty Rearden of the City of Great Falls, Parks and Recreation Department. Hibikiya performed from 12:00PM until 3:30PM only taking shorts breaks in between sets. Participants in the Ice Breaker Road Race we staged in the Civic Centre and enjoyed Hibikiya while they prepared for their race starts.
There were three races, a 5 mile a 3 mile and 1 mile. Members of the Lethbridge Twinning Society had participants in each of the races. Our Director for Great Falls relations, Brandy Old had an impressive showing in the 5 mile race where she ran the
course in well under one hour! The Ice Breaker provides an excellent opportunity of meeting, one on one, with residents of the Great Falls community. This year, the weather was excellent which provided even more opportunity to interact in a casual fashion. With close to 4,000 people in attendance (over 3,200 "officially registered" to run in the races) the 2018 Ice Breaker Road Race was an absolute success.
The Lethbridge Twinning Society wishes to expressly thank Hibikiya for their support in assisting us in bridging the friendship relations between the Lethbridge and Great Falls community.
We would also like to extend our sincere appreciation to the Consulate General for Canada in Denver Colorado, and as well to the Best Western, Heritage Inn (Great Falls) for their kind support.
Two fantastic ladies who do so much in the way of citizen diplomacy,
international friendship, peace, goodwill and understanding. Charity
Jacobson (City of Great Falls, Advisory Commission for International
Relations) Left and Brandy Old (Lethbridge Twinning Society Director for
Great Falls Relations).
HIBIKIYA TO PERFORM AT ICE BREAKER
Authentic Japanese Taiko Drumming Group
PRESS RELEASE
Great Falls, Montana – Lethbridge's authentic Japanese Taiko
drumming group, HIBIKIYA (pronounced HE BE KE YA), will be
performing at the 39th Ice Breaker Road Race on Sunday, April 22 with
performances throughout the day. Lethbridge Twinning Society is
celebrating the Sister City designation between Lethbridge and Great Falls in
a unique way. In collaboration with the Japanese Taiko group, HIBIKIYA,
they will be traveling to Great Falls this coming weekend. Members of the
Lethbridge Twinning Society have been participating in the Ice Breaker Road
Race annually since 2006.
HIBIKIYA, under the direction of sensei, Bryan Pereverseff, is an
authentic Japanese Taiko drumming group that performs original Japanese
Taiko which has been gifted to them from their sister groups in Lethbridge's
"Sister City", Towada City, Japan. HIBIKIYA is affiliated with and
supported by the Southern Alberta Taiko Society. According to Race
Director Patty Rearden: "We are excited to have this talented group perform
at the 39th Annual Ice Breaker Road Race. They provide excellent
entertainment and perform a type of music you don't get to hear every day."
HIBIKIYA will be performing on the stage in the Convention Center
at the Civic Center at 12:00 noon, 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m. just
prior to the Awards Ceremony.
"We value, greatly, our established Sister City relations with
Timashevsk, Russia, Culver City, California, Towada City, Japan, and our
newest 'Sister City', Great Falls, Montana (2014). The Lethbridge Twinning
Society wants to share a unique opportunity with the Great Falls community," says Lethbridge
Twinning Society President, Harold Pereverseff. The Lethbridge Twinning Society was invited to
perform at the Ice Breaker by the City of Great Falls Park and Recreation Department. The
performances are being offered free of charge, in the spirit of the Lethbridge community extending
the 'hands of friendship' across the United States border. "We are very grateful to have the support
of the Canadian Consulate in Denver, Colorado (which oversees Montana) in this extension of
'Sister City' relations with Great Falls," says Pereverseff.
HIBIKIYA will also have a performance on Saturday, April 21, at 5:00 p.m. in the Everyday
IGA store parking lot at 2505 6th Avenue North.
City of Great Falls
Park & Recreation Dept.
1700 River Drive North Great Falls, Montana 406-771-1265
greatfallsmt.net
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Visit to the City of Great Falls, Montana
April 21st, 2018
The Lethbridge Twinning Society will be making a delegation visit to the City of Great Falls, Montana on April 21st. We are pleased to have the Japanese taiko group, "Hibikiya" join us. Hibikiya will be performing on Saturday evening at 5:00PM at the "Everyday IGA" store at 2505 6th Ave N, Great Falls. Then on Sunday April 22nd they will be performing at the City of Great Falls, 39th Annual "Ice Breaker Road Race"! You may find full details on the Ice Breaker Road Race on the website: http://icebreakergf.com
We are welcoming any Lethbridge residents to join us in this family, fun event.
We are very excited about our Sister City relations with Great Falls, and we look forward to meeting with our friends from the City of Great Falls, Advisory Committee
for International Relations (ACIR). This is the 11th year we have participated in the Ice Breaker Road Race and always enjoy the opportunity. This is the second year that Hibikiya is able to join us and present their talents in Great Falls. We wish to extend a special thank you to Charity from Great Falls City ACIR - to Patty from the City of Great Falls, Recreation Department, the Best Western Heritage Inn and the Canadian Consulate in Denver Colorado for your kind support that assists us in participating in the event this year. Our Director for Great Falls Relations, Brandy Old may be contacted at [email protected] for further details.
Win a "Lethbridge, 3-Day Get-A-Way"
July 01, 2017 - Canada's 150th Anniversary!
In celebration of Canada's 150th Anniversary the Lethbridge Twinning Society embarked on a promotion with our Sister City, Great Falls, Montana. We held a contest to invite a couple from Great Falls to come to Lethbridge to participate in the Canada 150 celebrations in our city! We had over 210 couples enter the contest and in the end, we selected Scott and Shirley Gillaspie as the lucky winners.
The couple were provided with a rental vehicle from Enterprise Car Rentals in Great Falls. They arrived in Lethbridge on June 30th and were greeted by our interim Director for Great Falls relations, Brandy Old. The Gillaspies settled into their hotel room at the Best Western Inns and Suites for their two night stay. This was all part of the prize package! But there was more, a lot more. They no sooner checked into their room and they were off to coffee at Tim Horton's followed by a abbreviated tour of the City. A wonderful Chinese Dinner was enjoyed at the New Dynasty Restaurant hosted by LTS members, Gary and Kathy Stauffer. After dinner, the Stauffers and our guests were treated to the "Pirates of the Caribbean" movie at the Galaxy theater.
The next morning was Canada Day, and our guests were accompanied to Henderson Lake where they enjoyed activities and attractions on the main stage. LTS members Geoff Wallins, Joe Pallate, Marisa and Greg Boles and Garth Graham all greeted our guests. There was a lot of walking, talking and trying to beat the heat! It was a special treat for guests to hear "Hibikiya" perform Taiko drumming, as Hibikiya is representative of another of LTS Sister City, Towada City, Japan! Sensei, Bryan Pereverseff during the Hibikiya performance was so kind as to recognize the Gillaspies and extended a welcome to them.
The Gillaspies were, as well, graciously welcomed to Canada by our MP Rachael Harder as well as by Lethbridge, Councillor (Deputy Mayor) Joe Mauro.
LTS member Garth Graham hosted the Gillaspies to lunch at the Coulee Brewing Company, and then extended a brief break to them as they went back to they hotel to freshen up for the rest of the day.
President of LTS, Harold Pereverseff and his wife, Cheryl hosted the Gillaspies to dinner at the Firestone restaurant and then to the fireworks display which they viewed from Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden.
The next day (Sunday) the Gillaspies enjoyed a leisurely morning at their hotel, and even went back to Tim Horton's on their own for coffee and some treats! LTS Member Fran Cofell met them at 11:15 and they were off for an early lunch at the Lethbridge Casino.
After lunch they were off to shop and see some of our stores. Save-on-Foods provided a gift card and the Gillaspies found some goodies to take back home, as they did when they shopped at the Park Place Mall! It was around 4:00PM when the Gillaspies departed for home. Memories, souvenirs and having made new friends in Lethbridge all part of the booty they experienced! Congratulations!
The Lethbridge Twinning Society wishes to extend a huge "thank you" to the City of Great Falls, Advisory Commission on International Relations, in particular Charity Jacobson and Lana Kadoshnikov who assisted us greatly on their end to make this contest a reality. Thank you to Great Falls KRTV for promoting this contest in the Great Falls community!
Recognition to our sponsors of this contest:
- Enterprise Car Rental (Great Falls, MT)
- Best Western Inn and Suites
- Tim Horton's
- New Dynasty Restaurant
- Galaxy Theatre
- Coulee Brewing Company
- Co-op
- Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden
- Firestone Restaurant
- Lethbridge Casino
- Save on Foods
A huge shout out to our volunteer members of the Lethbridge Twinning Society; Dr. Gary Stauffer and Kathy, Geoff Wallins, Joseph Palate, Greg and Marisa Boles and family, Garth Graham, Fran Cofell, Brandy Old, Prachi Sanghavi, and everyone else who showed support for this event and the huge success that it was.
Canada 150 Celebrations, Henderson Lake
Enjoying the entertainment at Henderson Lake main stage
The Gillaspies are welcomed by Canadian Member of Parliament for Lethbridge Constituency, Rachael Harder
The Gillaspies meet "Miss Teen Alberta" Grace Linitski. Grace is from Lethbridge
The Gillaspies are hosted for lunch by LTS member, Garth Graham at the Coulee Brew Company
The Gillaspies joining in with members of the LTS
Going for dinner at the Firestone Restaurant
Dinner at the Firestone Restaurant
Watching the Canada 150 fireworks from Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden
Brandy welcomes Scott and Shirley to Lethbridge as they settle into their hotel accommodation at the Best Western Inn and Suites.
Best Western Inn and Suites.
First stop off for Scott and Shirley - Tim Horton's!
LTS Member Gary hosts Scott and Shirley at the New Dynasty Restaurant where they enjoyed a fantastic Chinese food dinner!
(Standing L-R) - Kathy, Harold, Gary (Seated L-R) Shirley, Scott
New Dynasty Restaurant. After dinner it was off to the Galaxy theatre to watch "Pirates of the Caribbean" hosted by Gary and Kathy.
LTS Member, Fran Cofell hosts the Gillaspies at the Lethbridge Casino for lunch on July 2nd
Save on Foods provided a gift voucher for shopping for the Gillaspies
Shopping at Save on Foods
The Gillaspies are all shopped out and with their gifts and souvenirs in hand it is time for them to head back home to Great Falls. Thank you very much for coming to Lethbridge, meeting us and visiting our city! "Yu'all come on back, ya hear?"
Scott and Shirley visit the Lethbridge Brewery Gardens
Harold joins Scott and Shirley at Lethbridge Brewery Gardens
Downtown Lethbridge in front of LTS "Twin City" sign
In the seating at the Henderson Lake main stage
In front of Lethbridge City Hall standing beside LTS monument which contains Stones from Great Falls, Montana. (Constructed in 2005 for the Alberta Centennial celebrations)
Watching "Hibikiya" perform at the Henderson Lake main stage
Member of the City of Great Falls Advisory Commission on International Relations, Lana Kadoshikov and her family, visit Lethbridge for Canada 150 celebrations
June 30, 2017
On June 30, 2017 Lana Kadoshnikov, her husband Yuri and two of their children, Mike and Kate, arrived in Lethbridge from one of our Sister Cities, Great Falls, MT. Lana is on the City of Great Falls, Advisory Commission for International Relations, (ACIR). They travelled to Lethbridge specifically to support the Lethbridge Twinning Society (LTS) in our "Lethbridge Get-A-Way Contest". They met the lucky winners of the contest (The Gillaspies) and spent some of our Canada 150 celebrations together with them.
Friendships are like beautiful flowers, they are great to enjoy and cherish…. but like beautiful flowers, friendships have to be nourished, taken care of and supported. This is exactly what the Kadoshnikov family achieved in their visit to Lethbridge. There was time for fun and enjoyment, but more importantly there was the opportunity of bonding with members of the LTS and getting out into our community, rubbing shoulders with our residents.
This was the second time that the Kadoshnikov family have made the trip to Lethbridge and connected with LTS members. Conversely, members of LTS have had a number of occasions where they were interacting with the Kadoshnikov family when we travelled to the City of Great Falls.
Our visits on both sides of the border, always come to an end too quickly!
The Kadoshnikov family enjoying breakfast around the kitchen table.
With the "Samurai" at the performance of Hibikiya at the Henderson Lake, main stage on Canada 150 Day.
Yuri at the Lethbridge Brewery Garden site.
Yuri with the Lethbridge high level trestle train bridge in the background.
The Kadoshnikov family overlooking the coulees from west Lethbridge.
Great Falls, Montana, USA Ice Breaker Road Race
April 22 – April 23, 2017
The Lethbridge Twinning Society celebrated Canada's 150th anniversary in a unique way.
In collaboration with Lethbridge's authentic Japanese Taiko group, HIBIKIYA, they travelled to our Sister City, Great Falls, Montana April 22 – April 23, 2017. The City of Great Falls is hosting their 38th Annual "Ice Breaker Road Race", an event which, since 2006, members of the Lethbridge Twinning Society have participated in.
Members enjoyed a warm welcome to Great Falls, accompanied by sunny, clear skies. The members participated in the Ice Breaker Road Race, enjoyed tours around the city, caught-up with Montana Sister Members, and listened to HIBIKYA. The visit to Great Falls was a fantastic way to meet new faces and connect with known ones.
"We've made a whole bunch of friends there through that Ice Breaker," Pereverseff said. "It's been wonderful." Thanks to help from the Canadian Consulate in Denver Colorado, LTS members were able to have a marvelous experience.
Local Lethbridge Taiko group, HIBIKIYA, to travel to Great Falls!
April, 2017
The Lethbridge Twinning Society is celebrating Canada's 150th anniversary in a unique way.
In collaboration with Lethbridge's authentic Japanese Taiko group, HIBIKIYA, they will be travelling to our Sister City, Great Falls, Montana this coming weekend. The City of Great Falls is hosting their 38th Annual "Ice Breaker Road Race", an event which, since 2006, members of the Lethbridge Twinning Society have participated in.
"We value, greatly, our established Sister City relations with Timashevsk, Russia, Culver City, California, Towada City, Japan, and our newest 'Sister City', Great Falls, Montana (2014). With this being Canada's 150th anniversary, the Lethbridge Twinning Society is celebrating and wants to share a unique opportunity with the Great Falls community," says Lethbridge Twinning Society President, Harold Pereverseff. The Lethbridge Twinning Society has been invited by the City of Great Falls, Park and Recreation Department, to the Ice Breaker Road Race, and at the venue, HIBIKIYA will be performing throughout the day. The performances are being offered free of charge, in the spirit of the Lethbridge community extending the 'hands of friendship' across the United States border. "We are very grateful to have the support of the Canadian Consulate in Denver, Colorado (which oversees Montana) in this extension of 'Sister City' relations with Great Falls," says Pereverseff.
HIBIKIYA, under the direction of sensei, Bryan Pereverseff, is an authentic Japanese Taiko drumming group that performs original Japanese Taiko which has been gifted to them from their sister groups in Lethbridge's "Sister City", Towada City, Japan. HIBIKIYA is affiliated with and supported by the Southern Alberta Taiko Society.
The Great Falls participation is actually a troika of Sister City relations (Lethbridge, Towada City, Japan, and Great Falls, Montana), and is a unique way of celebrating Canada's 150th anniversary while building meaningful relations between the Lethbridge and the Great Falls communities.
Ice Breaker Road Race - Great Falls, Montana
Sunday, April 23, 2017
Save the Date! Join members of the Lethbridge Twinning Society as we head south to our Sister City,
Great Falls, Montana to participate in there "Ice Breaker Road Race". The road race
is your choice of a 1 mile walk/run, a 3 mile run or a 5 mile run. Registrations and
details to follow. Usually the cost of registration is around $20.00 (US) and this includes
your registration, a long sleeve "race tee shirt" and a bag lunch. Registrants are also
eligible for draw prices. The 3 and 5 mile races are competitive and there are cash prizes
for the winners.
Those interested may e-mail: [email protected]
"Wings Across Montana" bird festival - Great Falls, Montana
June 9, 10 & 11, 2017
Save the Date! The City of Great Falls will host the "Wings Across Montana" bird festival June 9, 10, 11 2017 at the Heritage Inn. 300 to 400 people will attend.
More than 25 birding hikes will be offered. There will be a variety of speakers and a dessert auction will be held.
This is an invitation for our Sister City friends in Lethbridge.
Additional information will follow. If need be, you may contact Ms. Kay Silk of the
City of Great Falls, "Advisory Commission on International Relations" @ 406-453-0545
Michael Bennett and Harold Pereverseff at US Consulate.
Delegation visit from the Great Falls
May 24th to 28th, 2016
May 24 and 25 - Delegation visit from our Sister City, Great Falls, Montana will be in Lethbridge.
Further information >>
Meeting at the US Consulate
Calgary, Alberta - March 20th, 2015
On March 20th Director for Culver City Relations, Michael Bennett and Harold Pereverseff were invited to a meeting at the US Consulate in Calgary.
We had the opportunity of sharing the vision of the Lethbridge Twinning Society and updating the US Consulate with respect to our Sister Cities in Culver City, California and Great Falls, Montana.
We met with Casey Bohn and Deanna Cameron Duboque both of the Public, Press, Educational and Cultural Affairs section at the Consulate.
The meeting was most successful and we look forward to a continued collaboration and cooperation between the Lethbridge Twinning Society and the US Consulate.
Ed DeYoung – Director for Great Falls, Montana Relations
February 21, 2015
Ed DeYoung was born and raised in the U.S., just outside Chicago, IL. He graduated from Calvin College, MI, and spent 42 years in education, teaching in Alberta, Chicago, and Michigan. He retired in 2007 as principal of Immanuel Christian High School in Lethbridge, AB. He and his wife, Dr. Linda Herbert, live in Lethbridge and enjoy hiking and kayaking in the summer and snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the winter. Travel is another favorite activity that takes us far and wide. Ed looks forward to developing and maintaining close relations with our sister city, Great Falls, MT.
Twinning relationship between the Cities of Lethbridge and Great Falls, Montana
January 23, 2014
The Lethbridge Twinning Society recognizes the importance of promoting the "Sister Cities" model, and have this presented a proposal to the City of Lethbridge, City Council on January 20, 2014.
The proposal resulted in a "Resolution" of City Council and now we await the decision of the Mayor's Office on March 31, 2014.
We strongly believe that a formal "Sister City Twinning" between the City of Lethbridge and Great Falls is a dynamic and perfect relationship.
Lethbridge and Great Falls twinning application confirmation
Ice Breaker Road Race
Great Falls, Montana, April 26, 2014
On April 26th a delegation from the Lethbridge Twinning Society (LTS) travelled to Great Falls, Montana in preparation for the "Ice Breaker Road Race". This is an annual event and for the past several years, members of our Society have taken part. This year, we were greeted by members of the City of Great Falls, "Advisory Commission on International Relations" (ACIR) and hosted in the home of Robin Baker. Many members of ACIR were in attendance as we mingled and enjoyed a wonderful dinner. Fresh salad, and "Montana" pasta along with a special meat sauce that was made from scratch by a local restaurant. It was delicious and provided us with a good "carb up" in anticipation of the race the following day. It was a great evening where we got to know each other better. LTS and ACIR are trusting that our respective cities will enter into a formal sister city agreement, as we have both made representations for this process to our respective City Councils.
Members of LTS and ACIR (Picture taken in the Baker's back yard).
We woke up to a rather cool morning, and were ready to "break some ice" in the Ice Breaker Road Race! It was an excellent time to meet residents of Great Falls. This was a very well organized event with approximately 3,000 in attendance.
Robin and her husband working to get the "sack lunches" ready for the participants. Robin Baker from ACIR along with her husband were volunteers and worked to supply lunches for the participants.
Warm up prior to the races. (Notice our Canadian Flag!) The races begin in front of the City of Great Falls, Civic Center which is right down town.
The race is about to begin!
Warren Harold and Cheryl from the LTS
A nice flag to see along the race route!
# 312, This is Seth from LTS, when it was all over, he had won the second place medal for his age group! Congratulations Seth!
Duane from LTS is center with the red tee-shirt. He is ready for the 5 mile race!
Duane is close to leading the pack in the 5 miler!
Seth crosses the finish line of the 5 Mile Ice Breaker Road Race (Unofficial time of 34:42)
Old friends drop in to say "hi"
November 15, 2010 - Lethbridge Herald
Quite by chance members of the Lethbridge Twinning Society and the City of Great Falls of Advisory Commission on
International Relations (ACIR) became acquainted.
Please, visit the City of Great Falls Advisory Commission on International Relationships
site for information about upcoming events.
On April 24, 2004 three members
of the Lethbridge Twinning Society traveled to the City of Great Falls and met with the ACIR.
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