Shaken, Stirred, and Sober: Mocktail Challenge Highlights FASD Awareness Week

The parking lot outside the Town of Bonnyville was buzzing — not from beer gardens or rodeo clowns, but from mocktails. Yup, you read that right. The Lakeland Centre for FASD hosted its annual Mocktail Challenge as part of National FASD Awareness Week, and it drew more than a few curious sips.

“It’s not just about the drinks,” said a representative from the Lakeland Centre. “The rest of the month we have other FASD awareness events. If people want to find out anything they need to know about FASD, they can come check out the Lakeland Centre.”

And that’s the point. The fancy cups and umbrellas are fun, but the real goal is making sure the community understands what Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder is, how it affects families, and what supports are available right here in the Lakeland.

Tables lined the lot with groups like FCSS, the Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority, Dragonfly, and the Dove Centre all showing up. It felt less like a dry event and more like a community block party — with a serious message poured in between the crushed ice and lime wedges.

“Make sure you come check out the Lakeland FASD,” the rep added. “There’s so much information, and the support is here for families and individuals who need it.”

If you’ve ever wondered what FASD is, or how it touches lives in small towns like ours, this was the friendliest crash course you could ask for. No jargon, no judgement — just neighbours sharing knowledge, one mocktail at a time.

And hey, the mocktails weren’t half bad either. (Though let’s be honest, no one’s trading their Caesar recipe anytime soon.)National FASD Awareness Week is just the start. The Lakeland Centre for FASD continues to offer programs, resources, and support year-round. If you’ve got questions or want to learn more, drop by the Centre — because the more we know, the stronger our community grows.