Hello, Diamond Valley, and Happy Canada Day! Finally, summer is here after all the lovely rain we had in June, so I’ve included some events to help celebrate Canada’s 159th birthday month in our beautiful Foothills.
Canada officially was incorporated in 1867, but dates back thousands of years ago with the arrival of the Paleo-Indians to North America. From the late 15th century, French and British expeditions explored, colonized, and fought over various present-day Canadian lands. One such place was known as Rupert’s Land and was returned by the Hudson’s Bay Company to Great Britain, which then transferred it to the newly formed Dominion of Canada. Rupert’s Land was named after Prince Rupert of Rhine, who,among other things, was the first appointed Governor of the Hudson’s Bay. The transaction, known as the Deed of Surrender, was signed on July 15, 1870. Rupert’s Land was deeded over for the princely sum of 1.5 million and is an area of a quarter of North America’s land mass.
The Millarville Racetrack celebrates Canada Day on July 1 with the annual Races. This is a ticketed event held from 10-5, starting with the National Anthem and Treaty Lands Recognition. A Parade follows and then let the races begin! Horse lovers will want to get tickets for this event, and there will also be the Market, kids activities, a beer gardens, and a 50/50 draw. Please check the Racetrack’s website for full details and to get your tickets.
The Battle of the Chucks is on for July 23-26 at the High River Agricultural Society. Races start at 7pm Thursday through Saturday and 4pm on Sunday. There will be an 18+ cabaret on Saturday night, a free pancake breakfast and Cowboy Church on Sunday. Vendors, food trucks, and beer gardens provide shopping and sustenance. For full details, please visit highriverag.com.
Our neighbours to the south, Longview, will be hosting their annual Little New York Daze on the weekend of July 18 and 19. Parade Marshall is former Longview resident and Stampede Queen Holly Cartwright. The weekend’s highlights are the Parade, Pancake Breakfast, the Mark Parsons Band, Kids Activities, and Fireworks at dusk. Check out details on the Facebook page to confirm this year’s schedule of events and bring a lawn chair for the Parade.
Back in town, the annual Diamond Valley Car Show is scheduled for July 26 from 10-4. This event keeps getting bigger and better with one classic car, truck, and motorcycle after another. This family friendly event offers vendors, food trucks, entertainment, and doggie water stations too. Registration for your classic vehicle starts at 8am. Proceeds from the registration will go towards local charities, last year they helped out the Oilfields Food Bank, 4H Clubs, and the Diamond Valley Fire Training Centre. You can check out the Facebook page for more information.
Horse lovers can also check out Kananaskis Country on horseback. I know Anchor D is one place to go if you don’t have your own horse. Some campgrounds in Kananaskis are horse friendly, with rails and trails. The Death Valley Trail is a 12.5 km trail. Shorten it with the Death Valley Loop or expand it with Windy Point Trail, Foran Grade Trail, and Sheep Trails. Use caution as ranchers lease these lands to graze their cattle, and evaluate the contours on a map to see if your horse if okay with the steepness of some trails. Check out K-Country horse trails and campgrounds to find out more.
Our Turner Valley Legion will be hosting a Stampede Pancake Breakfast on July 4 from 9-12. Everyone is welcome and admission is by donation. They are also holding a Raise the Roof Campaign, as the roof is in need of a big repair. You can buy a “brick” for $50 and put your name or in honour of someone on the brick. Or you can just donate at the Legion or buy transfer at RCL78@telus.net.
The Canadian Salvation Army has a Summer Lunch Program for children. This provides a free nutritious meal to kids when they need them most, the gap between the school year. Your generosity helps fill that gap. You can donate by visiting SalvationArmy.ca or call 1-800-725-2769.
Any events or news for August, please drop me a line before July 15 at elaine.w@telus.net.
Happy Canada Day!
Elaine Wansleeben
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