It sure was a nice summer. I just got back from the annual Longstock Music Festival in August, 16 bands over three days, my two favorites were the Shannon Smith Band and Silly Wrabbit, but all the bands were fantastic, good vendors and food trucks, and thanks to the Foothills Fire Division for putting on the beer gardens. Very well organized!
It’s Alberta Culture Days for the whole month of September. Go to alberta.ca for a list of events celebrating Alberta’s art and culture, including festivals, exhibitions, showcases, concerts, and much more.
The Most Beautiful Art Tour in Alberta is happening September 23 also, as part of Alberta Culture Days. Six venues, galleries, and home studios will open their doors to the public and all are welcome. For a list of these places (including Diamond Valley and Okotoks) go to mostbeautifularttourinalberta.com.
High River is hosting one of my favorite events in September, the annual River City Classics Car Show and Shine and Burn-Outs. This is the second in memory of Brian Chipchase Sr. , who was an integral part of the Car Club. This is a huge car show with the Foothills Fetal Alcohol Society doing a large part of the volunteering, and they along with other local charities will benefit from this event. The Show and Shine runs on September 24 from 10-4 in High River, downtown and George Lane Memorial Park. For
full details go to rivercityclassics.ca., and admission is free.
Another really cool event in High River is the annual Heritage Inn International Balloon Festival. Opening ceremonies are on September 27 at 5:30, and then they will be heading over to the MacLeod Trail launch site for the first flight of these magnificent hot air balloons. The event runs Sept. 27 – Oct. 1 with daily launches at 7:30 am and 5:15pm. The event is free and is quite a site to see all these balloons in the sky. You can even buy a ride on one of them! For full details, go to heritageinninternationalballoonfestival.com.
Back in town, our own Sheep Creek Arts Council will be hosting an open house on September 7 at 6:30. Come check out the classes and talk to some of the instructors. Membership is required to sign up for classes, it is super inexpensive, and they make their classes as inexpensive as possible for all fellow artsy people to attend. Another fundraiser for the SCAC is their casino night, the next one is November 13 and 14, if you can help out, please come in or give Sheila a call at 403-931-3989. For a full list of classes such as quilting, drawing, painting, and much more, go to sheepcreekarts.ca or drop by at 133A Sunset Boulevard in Turner Valley.
Right next door to the SCAC is the Valley Neighbours Club, and they will be hosting their annual 80 and over birthday party on September 10. Anyone 80 and over are invited to attend, if you are interested in celebrating this accomplishment with others please call Barb at 403-933-4782 or email at bbw@telus.net. The VNC also offers classes and programs such as bingo, line dancing, exercise classes, bridge and cards and more. The yearly membership is super inexpensive here as well, stop by and check them out!
Also in Turner Valley for the month of September, is another fantastic Beneath the Arch Concert, on September 16. They are pleased to present Del Barber and Band at 7:00pm. For tickets and more information, go to beneaththearch.ca.
Sheep River Library in Turner Valley has a ton of fun and interesting classes and programs for this fall. Arts, exercise, careers, tech, children’s programs, and music, book, writing, and drumming clubs, and their Out Loud Series are back as well. For a full list of all they have to offer, drop by the Library on Main Street or go to sheepriverlibrary.ca.
Please wear an orange shirt on September 30 for the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. The Government of Canada recently passed legislation marking this day, also known as Orange Shirt Day.
If you have any events or news for October, please drop me a line before September 15 at elaine.w@telus.net
Wishing you a fabulous start to fall!
Elaine Wansleeben
