Hello, Diamond Valley.
This name was the overwhelming choice in the online survey regarding what we would call our two towns in the event we finally amalgamize. The final decision to amalgamate will be made by each town council in September. There are a lot of events starting to come up again now that Covid restrictions have been lifted. I sure hope we continue to be safe from this pandemic!
It is Heritage Day in Alberta on August 2, and International Youth Day on August 12. The theme this Youth Day is “Transforming Food Systems: Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health”. To find out more about this interesting topic, go to gwp.org and search International Youth Day. Many of us have full pantries and freezers but many do not, so remember our local Oilfields Food Bank next time you shop or clean out your pantry, or Grow a Row in your garden to donate to someone less fortunate.
Hooray, hooray, the Fair is here to stay! Millarville Racetrack hosts their annual Country Fair on the weekend of August 21 and 22. Founded in 1907, this Fair is one of the last great traditional old-time Agricultural Fairs in Canada. Today the Fair is a wondrous extravaganza with a Kid’s World, petting zoo, horses, hayrides, roping competitions and ribbons awarded in junior events ranging from photography to baking to 4-H. The Millarville Farmer’s Market will be going on as well, and they have a campground also. Come out and enjoy the Fair or enter your crafts, baking, grains, and animals for a winning ribbon.
No dogs please. The Fair runs from 9-4 each day, for more info, call 403-931-3411 or visit millarvilleracetrack.com.
There is a local Crafter’s Corner right in Black Diamond, which displays and sells handmade crafts created by local crafters and artisans. They are located at 116 Government Road North and are open 11-6 every day except Mondays. If you are interested in showcasing your crafts here, please call 587-575-6666, or just come check out the unique art and crafts for that unique gift or item for your home.
Alberta Open Farm Days are back on the weekend of August 14 and 15. This is your chance to visit your rural neighbours and explore the province’s farms, ranches, and agricultural businesses. In the past there have been more than 120 farms opening their gates to the public, with everything from vegetable growers, ranchers, grain and oilseed farmers, cheesemakers, beekeepers and more showcasing their diverse products. You can jump in and experience milking a cow or harvesting vegetables, and participate in the whole process of farm to table. Many farms will sell their goods at the gate, so bring some bags and some cash also. General farm admission is free, for a list of participating farms and ranches, visit albertafarmdays.com.
The Bar U Ranch is one of the ranches featured for Alberta Open Farm Days on the weekend of August 14 and 15, with free admission as well! The same weekend they also host their Old Time Ranch Rodeo. Bar U also is hosting an Extreme Cowboy Challenge on August 6-8, followed by the Canadian Cowboy Challenge August 21-22. Come watch real cowboys do their thing and compete for bragging rights and a big belt buckle. To find out more about this awesome place, go to pc.gc.ca/baru. They are located about 15 minutes south of Longview on the Cowboy Trail, or 22X.
Okotoks will be presenting their annual Show and Shine on Sunday, August 22. Preregister your vehicle on that day. Cars can arrive by 8am, with open registration starting at 9, and the Show starting at 11am. The Show and Shine features awards, free entertainment, a Kid’s Zone, and food and merchandise vendors. Elizabeth Street is the place to be for this event, for more details, check this Show and Shine out on Facebook.
The Foothills Country Hospice will be hosting their annual Rally 4 Hospice on August 28 from noon to 11pm. This year’s theme is 50s-60s Cow Folk. There just may be a special prize for the person or group who best represents the tassels and spurs of this Golden Age of Country. General registration to enter the rally started June 1, and sponsorship opportunities are available. If you are interested in entering the rally, you will follow clues and answer the trivia as you wind your way through the golden prairie and rolling foothills.
As you cross the finish line, you will be treated to an evening of fun, food, and fundraising. There will be a BBQ meal by Lynnwood Ranch, live entertainment by The Rodeo Riders, and a live auction. Over the past few years, more than $800K has been raised for the Hospice, which is a valuable organization in our community. Go to countryhospice.org to register or donate.
It’s so nice to receive some emails regarding places and events opening up again.
The Sheep Creek Arts Council in Turner Valley is having a full slate of classes starting in September, including quilting, painting, and mosaics. Details can be found at sheepcreekarts. ca. Brochures describing the classes will also be available in Black Diamond and Turner Valley in August and registration starts in August also. They are located on Sunset Boulevard on the south side just up from Main Street.
Next door to the Sheep Creek Arts Council is the Valley Neighbours Club. They offer bridge on Thursdays at 1 pm. That is one game I’ve never tried, but sure looks interesting. They also host bridge on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and hand and foot canasta
on Thursdays. That sounds pretty interesting as well! They used to have a bingo on Friday evenings I thought, and hopefully that will come back as well. Drop by to find out more about this long- time club!
The Griffiths Centre in Black Diamond is pleased to be reopening. Please attend the annual general meeting on August 28
at 2pm. A current membership is required, it’s only $15 a year and memberships can be bought at the door. Refreshments will be served. Join them for the Grand Opening Celebration on September 11, with Happy Hour at 4pm and a BBQ dinner served at 5pm. Entertainment will be provided. To find out more or to reserve for the Grand Opening Celebration, call 403-933-0170 or email them at griffithscentre@hotmail.com. They are located on Government Road in Black Diamond, just across and south from the Black Diamond Hotel.
Our beautiful Sheep River Library is planning on regular hours in September if all goes well, but for now they are pleased to be open to the public from 10-5 on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, and 12-5 on Saturdays. Please check the website sheepriverlibrary.ca for updates. Their Summer Reading Program will be running this year starting in July, on Wednesdays. The 4-6 year old children’s program runs from 10-11am, followed by the 7-10 year old children’s program going from 11:10-12:30. You can register your children by giving the Library a call at 403-933-3278 or drop in. Other programs such as Qi-Gong are Mondays at 1:30, and Poetry on the Patio is the last Thursday of the month at 10:30am. In September they are hoping to have their full slate of programs up and running, including the Out Loud Series. Lots to experience at our local Library, please check out their website or drop by for full details.
The Town of Black Diamond is again offering a deferral of property tax payments for all property owners until September 30, 2021. To learn more about the tax installment payment plan (TIPP), or other methods to pay your property taxes, please visit the town’s website at town.blackdiamond.ab.ca.
If you have any events going on in September that you would like to share with our readers, please drop me a line at elaine.w@telus.net. The deadline for September’s issue is August 15.
Enjoy your day!
Elaine Wansleeben
