Hello, Diamond Valley. What a nice hot summer it’s been so far. We had a great Canada Day and the fireworks were amazing as always. I hope everyone is out enjoying our beautiful Foothills and the Sheep River this year.
This summer the Town is offering tennis and free pickleball drop-in sessions. There is a tennis net set up 7 days a week to enjoy tennis or pickleball, this is set up at the outdoor skating rink in Black Diamond. Or you could go to the Scott Seaman Sports Rink there as well for these games on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 8am – 10pm. Private bookings are also available at diamondvalley.town/SSSR-Summer.
It’s Alberta Open Farm Days throughout this August. This is your chance to visit our rural neighbours and explore the province’s farms, ranches, and agricultural businesses. This year’s theme is the Year of the Alpaca, and Sunnyhill Alpacas and Twisted Sisters Mill are participating in the Open Farm Days, they are located near Leduc. Other farms in Southern Alberta include ones near Lethbridge, Airdrie, Olds, Nanton, Nobleford, High River, Langdon, Bearspaw, and more. For a full list of participating farms visit albertafarmdays.com.
Granary Road is also participating in Open Farm Days on August 17 and 18. They offer mini golf now, and we are planning a day to go and golf, and check out the petting zoo, greenhouse, farmer’s market and more. They are also hosting a Family Fun Fair on August 10 and 11 from 9-5. Granary Road is located near Red Deer Lake Meats.
The Southern Alberta Music Festival is scheduled for August 9 and 10 this year. This is a train themed park near Mossleigh and camping is available. There will vendors and food trucks, a market, artists and photographers works on display, and of course live music all weekend long. To buy tickets or for more information, visit aspencrossing.com.
The Bar U Ranch is hosting their Old Time Ranch Rodeo on August 18. Come early and walk around their historic ranch, take a wagon ride, or have lunch. This is a really neat place for the family to spend a day, and is located about 15 minutes south of Longview. For info go to parks.canada.ca/ ab/baru. And another rodeo this summer is the Okotoks Pro Rodeo August 23-25. This one will be held at the Millarville Racetrack, for info on the rodeo go to okotoksprorodeo.com. There is camping there also, please visit the Millarville Racetrack website to book.
The Priddis/Millarville Fair is set for August 17 and 18. This is free for the whole family and of course donations are welcome. The Fair is a really fun day with tons of activities including tractor pull, the famous Farmer’s Market, animal demonstrations including a llama obstacle course, pie eating contest, and much much more.
Our Turner Valley Legion is staying open all summer this year and they have opened up their patio as well to enjoy the summer weather. They offer good home cooked food at very reasonable prices, meat draws and 50/50s, pool and darts, and kids are very welcome also. Drop by our Legion to check out all the fun events they offer, you don’t have to be a member, but if you do decide to support them in this way, it’s only $55 a year for a membership.
Our Sheep River Library offers Movie Nights every Thursday from 6-8:30pm, with the last one on August 22. You are welcome to bring your own snacks and it is free of charge. For a list of movies shown, check the Library’s Facebook page. And George Lane Park in High River is showing “Big Hero 6” on August 16 at 8pm. To find out more about their Movie Night, visit highriver.ca.
Come check out Hard Knox Brewery in Black Diamond’s new stage! The Hard Knox does a lot of fun events to keep your toes tapping, drop by to find out what they have planned. And the Sheep River Shuttle can get you to and from our two towns, just call 403-861-2081 to book a ride and they can tell you what their availability is. The Shuttle also has a mobility aid so everyone can get around.
Any events for September that you would like to see in the High Country News, please drop me a line before August 15 at elaine.w@telus.net. We love to hear from not for profit organizations and anyone else with some news on what’s happening in our area.
Enjoy the rest of your summer!
Elaine Wansleeben
