A quartet of big events in High River have been approved to receive funds from the Community Vitality Fund.

Community Development Worker Caitland Asmundson says the Advisory Committee had to do a lot of very difficult work to come up with their recommendations to council.

"Because it's a new committee and a new process it was definitely a new learning opportunity for all of us involved, but like I said in the council meeting, I am just so proud of this committee," she says. "They went through this new process in a wonderful, wonderful way and they had great conversations and they asked great questions."

The Little Britches and Santa Clause parades each received $15,000 while the International Balloon Festival got $11,000 and the Light Up George Lane Park received $3,000.

Asmundson says those groups do a lot for the community and they at least match the amount of funds they're given.

"These applicants, they're asking for this funding from council but they're actually providing matching amounts, either in volunteers hours, in materials or in sponsorship." Asmundson says. "So the return on investment from the taxpayer side of things is very high and in all these cases they're providing more than the matching amount."

Councillor Don Moore praised Caitland, saying she was a valuable resource for the the advisory committee and for the applicants, being able to set them up with other groups and volunteers that could help through manpower or sponsorships and helping to refine budgets to fit the available funds.