Millet, Alberta


Millet is a town in central Alberta, Canada, located approximately south of Alberta's capital city of Edmonton. The town has won nationally in the Communities in Bloom competition and markets its beautiful setting.

History

The Town of Millet was named in honour of August Millet, who was believed to be a canoeist for Father Lacombe.
On June 17, 1903, Millet was proclaimed a village by an Order-in-Council of the Northwest Territories. By 1908, Millet's first councillors were elected.
In October 1927, a disastrous fire destroyed many of the buildings along the east side of Railway Street.
In 1950, the Board of Trade built a community hall and gave it to the Village. The hall is still being used today. In 1953, Northwestern Utilities brought natural gas to the Village. Griffiths Scott School was built in 1982, and a Senior Citizens Apartment was completed in 1983. On September 1, 1983, Millet was declared a town, and "Coming to Town" celebrations were held on October 15, 1983.
Australian woman Allyson McConnell murdered her two children, Connor and Jayden, in Millet in 2010. The case received press coverage in both Canada and Australia. The Canadian Press wrote that the case "shocked and rallied the community" in Millet.

Demographics

In the 2016 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of Millet recorded a population of 1,945 living in 822 of its 866 total private dwellings, a change from its 2011 population of 2,092. With a land area of, it had a population density of in 2016.
In the 2011 Census, the Town of Millet had a population of 2,092 living in 836 of its 869 total dwellings, a 1.2% change from its 2006 population of 2,068. With a land area of, it had a population density of in 2011.

Economy

Millet focuses on agriculture and recreation.

Arts and culture

In May, Millet hosts the Millet Massacre, which includes live bands and a beer gardens.
In June of every year, a Millet Days celebration takes place, which includes a parade, trade show, softball tournament, fireworks, and a soccer tournament.

Attractions

The Millet and District Museum, Archives and Visitor Information Centre was established in 1985. It is located at the north end of town on the west side of Highway 2A.

Education

operates public schools. Millet has one school - Griffiths-Scott School, which serves grades EC-8. Wetaskiwin Composite High School serves Millet for high school.
Pipestone School does not serve Millet, and is in nearby Pipestone.

Media

The town is the home of the official County of Wetaskiwin weekly newspaper, and the Leduc County weekly newspaper, The Leduc-Wetaskiwin Pipestone Flyer. Due to its proximity to two cities, the town's news is also covered in the Wetaskiwin Times and the Leduc Representative.
In the Wetaskiwin area, a community channel is broadcast out of the city of Wetaskiwin, as well as two radio stations. Other major radio stations are picked up from Edmonton. The Edmonton Sun and Edmonton Journal are also distributed in Millet.