Good old western flapjack flipping kicks off Alberta's 100th birthday party at 12:23 on September 1, 2005, EST.

EDMONTON (CP) - Twelve-year-old Drew Delbare already knew what he was going to say Thursday as he stood in a block-long line with other proud Albertans waiting to write messages in a time capsule for the province's 100th year.

"Happy birthday, Alberta. You've come so far, and hopefully there'll be another 100 years. It's a great province." Centennial celebrations marking the province's joining Confederation geared up Thursday in Edmonton's downtown square with that most traditional of western favourites - a free pancake breakfast.

Hundreds stood in line as provincial cabinet ministers and community volunteers flipped flapjacks. Bands played as people in line for the time capsule offered their thoughts on their home's centenary.

Lynn Perlitz, who moved to Edmonton from Vancouver as a young girl, said she's never even considered moving back.

"I love it here. It's got every season you could possibly want. It's a beautiful city, beautiful province, mountains - what else could you want?"

Nadia Brushett was drawn by friends and opportunity when she came to Edmonton three years ago from the East Coast.

"I'm appreciative," said the Newfoundlander. "I like it here. It's a nice place to work."

Bob Jones expressed the quiet pride of a born-bred Edmontonian.

"It's wonderful to have this 100th birthday celebration. Alberta's a great place."

Alberta marks its 100th birthday at a time when the province has never been richer, awash in the royalties from the highest oil prices in history.

That's allowed for more than 100 centennial legacy projects worth $400 million, including the refurbishing of the Edmonton and Calgary Jubilee auditoriums, a major expansion of the provincial museum and fixing up libraries, parks and recreation centres.

The formal centennial ceremony was to begin at 11:30 a.m. on the legislature grounds, and was to include a re-enactment of the 1905 inauguration.

Star-studded parties were planned in 10 communities - from Grande Prairie and Fort McMurray in the north to Lethbridge and Medicine Hat in the south - with carnivals, concerts and community barbecues. Fireworks set to music and planned to go off simultaneously at 9:55 p.m. across the province were to cap off the day.

Premier Ralph Klein was to launch the parties at 3 p.m. in Calgary, followed by the cutting of a 30-metre-long birthday cake. Jumbotrons in each community were to link the celebrations.

Evening galas were planned at the two Jubilee auditoriums. Figure-skating legend Kurt Browning was chosen as host for the Edmonton event on the grounds of the legislature. Expected performers included Tom Jackson, Ian Tyson, Paul Brandt, k.d. lang, Jann Arden and Bobby Curtola.

Prime Minister Paul Martin was scheduled to visit some of the events as was Adrienne Clarkson, who soon steps down as Governor General.

Other centennial initiatives include medals for 8,000 Albertans in recognition of past contributions, a 25-cent centennial coin struck by the Royal Canadian Mint and $500 in an education trust fund for every baby born starting this year.

Saskatchewan also marks its centennial this year with celebrations across that province Sunday. A fireworks spectacle, with 15 communities launching rockets into the night sky at the same time, is also planned.

Key moments in Alberta history:

1905: Alberta becomes eighth province to join Confederation, along with Saskatchewan.

1906: Edmonton named capital city; Alberta's population is 185,412.

1908: University of Alberta established.

1912: Legislature Building opens. First Calgary Stampede.

1917: Alberta women vote in provincial election for first time; two women elected.

1929: Persons Case recognizes women as persons and therefore eligible to hold elected office. Due to efforts of Alberta's Famous Five: Emily Murphy, Henrietta Muir Edwards, Irene Parlby, Louise McKinney and Nellie McClung.

1930: Alberta gains jurisdiction over its natural resources.

1947: Leduc No. 1 well starts production, ushering in a new era of oil wealth and investment.

1961: Province's First Nations get right to vote.

1976: Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund established to save and invest money from province's lucrative energy industry.

1979: Alberta-born Joe Clark becomes prime minister.

1986: Oil prices hit record lows. Province's petroleum sector suffers crushing losses for several years.

2004: Becomes only debt-free province with money set aside from government coffers overflowing with energy revenue.

2005: Province celebrates centennial; population 3.2 million.

Facts and figures about Alberta's centennial Thursday:

Communities hosting official centennial parties: Banff, Bonnyville, Calgary, Edmonton, Fort McMurray, Grande Prairie, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Red Deer, Wainwright.

Live webcast: www.albertacentennial.ca will have link into live webcast

Number of fireworks shot: 40,000. A pyrotechnic device launched into the air to go off in 10 simultaneous displays across the province.

Pyrotechnicians working: More than 80.

Person who presses button to trigger fireworks: Premier Ralph Klein in Calgary.

Number of events listed on centennial website: 160.

Number of delegations visiting from sister provinces around the world: Eight.

Countries represented: U.S., Germany, Ukraine, Russia, China, Japan, South Africa.

Opening lyrics of new official song: "Flatlands, rollin' plains/Clear blue skies, prairie rains."

Steel time capsule: Nearly 6.5 metres long, 1.8 metres in diameter. Weighs almost 1,400 kilograms empty, 2,722 kilograms full.

Alberta's namesake: Princess Louise Caroline Alberta, fourth daughter of Queen Victoria.

First premier: Ontario-born lawyer Alexander Rutherford.