Lumsden, Saskatchewan, is a charming town nestled in the Qu'Appelle Valley in south-central Saskatchewan, Canada. Just 31 km northwest of Regina, Lumsden is surrounded by the Rural Municipality of Lumsden No. 189. This town serves as both a farming community and an unofficial suburb of Regina. Lumsden is also home to a vibrant artistic community, teeming with writers, painters, and sculptors.
The first settlers arrived in Lumsden in 1881, and the area was affectionately known as Happy Hollow. The town's name changed to Lumsden in 1889 with the arrival of the Qu'Appelle, Long Lake, and Saskatchewan Railway, named after Hugh Lumsden, a senior engineer with the railway. Lumsden has a history of flooding, with significant events in 1892, 1904, 1916, 1948, and 1969. The most severe flood occurred in 1974, prompting the town to straighten the Qu'Appelle River's channel and build dikes. Despite the risk of flooding in 2011, the town remained safe. In 2002, Harrowsmith Magazine recognized Lumsden as the "prettiest" town in the province.
Lumsden celebrated its official town centennial in March 2005. In May of the same year, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, graced the Lumsden Sports Centre. The event, which celebrated both the town and the province's centenaries, featured performances by Marny Duncan-Cary, the Lumsden Community Choir, the Riel Reelers, and the Lumsden & District Band and Jazz Ensemble. It was the only engagement of Canada's Queen outside urban centres during her visit to Saskatchewan.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Lumsden had a population of 1,800 living in 700 of its 732 total private dwellings. This represented a slight decrease of -1.3% from its 2016 population of 1,824. With a land area of 4.92 km2 (1.90 sq mi), Lumsden had a population density of 365.9/km2 (947.6/sq mi) in 2021.
Lumsden, Saskatchewan, is known for its community spirit and hosts several events throughout the year.
Since 1987, the Duck Derby Committee has hosted an annual fundraiser where thousands of numbered plastic ducks race down the Qu'Appelle River. Participants purchase a numbered duck for the race, and the first ducks to cross the finish line win cash and prizes for their owners. The Duck Derby also features a variety of artists, musicians, and traders who perform and sell their wares in town. Proceeds from the derby benefit the Lumsden Sports Center.
Every September, the Town of Lumsden hosts the annual Scarecrow Festival. This event includes a large street market, hay rides, activities for kids, food vendors, garage sales, an outdoor movie, and fireworks. The festival attracts thousands of visitors to the town each year.
