Lac La Biche hosts Alberta Francophone Games

Ball hockey, basketball and volleyball were played at the Bold Center, while soccer and ultimate frisbee were played at the Knights of Columbus soccer fields. Kinball — a unique game originating in Quebec in the 1980s that sees three teams compete to catch and control a 48-in diameter ball —  was being played at the Portage College's gym. A badminton completion took place at the Light of Christ School gym, while all the arts events were hosted at J. A. Williams high school.

Some visiting athletes also heard about the county's chalk the walk event, grabbed some chalk from the Bold Center and contributed towards the sidewalk's handiwork

Zone 5 participant screams 'Omnikin' as she pushes the ball away during Saturday's Kinball competition at the Portage College gym

Zone 6 and Zone 8 ultimate frisbee players trying to reach for the spinning frisbee at the KC grounds

During Sunday's final, zone 8's midfielder looking to push the ball up the field as Zone 5's defenders close in

Zone 9 coach's team talk during half time. The team went ahead and won first place beating zone 5's team   4-0

Zone 9's Men's Volleyball team celebrates after they beat Zone 5's team during Sunday's final

Students gathered at the JAWS lawn behind the school for a BBQ supper after the competitions

Raja Israel, RJ Foronda and Ben Arao from Master Caterers (Bonnyville) were busy working the grills. They made more then 700 burgers in the afternoon catering for Sunday's BBQ

The line-up was huge during lunch hour as hungry athletes came looking for food

Danielle too from Zone 4 placed first in Visual Arts competition while Katherine Quimper from zone 1 placed third

Volunteers were in shocking pink shirts throughout the weekend competitions. There were more than 100 volunteers that helped organized the activities

The different zones were categorized by different regions within Alberta. Zone 1— blue —was Airdrie, Brooks, Canmore, Cochrane, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat and Okotoks. Zone 2 -— yellow — was Beaumont, Canmore, Fort Saskatchewan, Leduc, Red Deer, Sylvan Lake and Wainwright. Zone 3 — orange — was Calgary. Zone 4 — red —was Edson, Hinton, Jasper, Legal, Morinville, Spruce Grove, St. Albert and Stony Plain. Zone 5 — dark green — consisted of Bonnyville, Cold Lake, Lac La Biche, LLoydminster, Plamondon, St. Paul and Vegreville. Zone 6 — navy blue — had Edmonton and Sherwood Park area. Zone 7 — light green — was Athabasca and Fort McMurray. Zone 8 — black — consisted of areas including Donnely, Fairview, High Prairie, Falher, Girouxville, Peace River and Valleyview. Grande Prairie and Whitecourt were zone 9 - with athletes in burgundy.

Yann Gingras is the president of the Board of Directors with FSFA. While speaking with the POST, he was grateful to have Lac La Biche as this year's hosting community. Even though they have been in the area before — the Games were hosted in Plamondon in 2014, — it's the organizations first time bringing the events to Lac La Biche, says Gingras.

"We had beautiful weather ... The facilities were amazing... We were in Plamondon 4-5 years ago so, not the first time in the area, but the first time in Lac La Biche... It all went amazing. People were amazing and everything was amazing. So, definitely we are looking forward to come back here. It's beautiful here," said Gingras.

The Francophone Games hit the national stage next year — as they are every three years. The National Francophone Games will be hosted in Victoria, BC starting July 14 to July 18.

At this year's provincials,  Zone 5 team from the Lac La Biche, Plamondon and Lakeland area did will in the competition earning four silver medals and three golds.