Hello, Diamond Valley. What a glorious summer it’s been so far. All the rain in previous months sure greened everything up. It also brought out all the birds and critters, as we had a skunk in our garden the other day. It ate a bunch of strawberries and then toddled off so the dog definitely had to stay indoors until it was safe.
Speaking of critters, the annual Millarville Fair is scheduled for August 15-16. I have been the last few years and it’s one of my favorite events of the year! The Farmer’s Market is run on the Saturday, and other events include llama obstacle courses, dogs herding geese and sheep, cows, chickens and large birds of prey. There’s all kinds of entries for locals to show their livestock, animals, crafts, baking, you name it. Food trucks and entertainment, a tractor pull, and a horse costume show are just some of the fun things to see at the Fair. It runs daily at the racetrack from 9-2, for full details, visit millarvilleracetrack.com.
The Hard Knox Brewery in Black Diamond will host a tractor show and shine on August 15, and a Retro 50s Hop on the 29th. They also have live music on weekend afternoons. For more information, go to hardknoxbrewery.com
Okotoks Pro Rodeo will be held on August 21-23 at the Millarville Racetrack grounds. Besides the regular Rodeo events, there will be Mutton Bustin’, Wild Pony Races, and a Market, food trucks, and beer gardens. Break out your dancing boots for Rodeo Dances both Friday and Saturday nights. They also have a campground
at the Racetrack. Full details go to okotoksprorodeo.com.
The beautiful Bar U Ranch is also hosting an Old Time Ranch Rodeo on August 15-16. Or you could attend their Come Paint Alberta workshop on August 22 from 11-4. The Bar U is a dedicated Historic Site and a working ranch. It’s kind of like a mini Heritage Park with special events on Sundays during the summer. They are located about 10 minutes past Longview, for more info visit parkscanada.ca.
One of the things I love about the Foothills is the music scene! George Lane Campground in High River hosts Bandstand Sundays at 1pm. Bring a lawn chair. Their August line-up is Ollie Owens on the 2nd, Black Crow Funk Band on the 9th, Memphis Mafia Band on the 16th, Denver Venoit on the 23rd and Grand Masters Fiddle Party on the 30th. They will also host an Alberta Day Concert on the 29th. Full details either thevenuehighriver.com or highriver.ca.
Okotoks also has a Summer Plaza Concert Series. August 6 is Wildcard, the 13th is Ahead by a Century, Prairie Dogz on the 20th, and Dino Martinis on the 27th. Brought to you by Canadiana Music Company, these are free concerts and are held at 7pm at the Arts and Learning Campus Plaza by the Library.
Dr. Lander Memorial Swimming Pool in Turner Valley is open for business on these hot summer days. They offer public and lane swims, fitness programs, and swimming lessons, as well as birthday parties. Find out scheduling and more on our town’s website.
Cochrane’s SPCA is hosting a Summer Tails 50/50 raffle. The raffle goes until August 24, with the draw date on August 25. You can have a chance to win some big money and every ticket supports urgent medical care, shelter, and rehabilitation for stray and abandoned animals. To get your raffle ticket, go to cochranehumane.ca
If you have any events or news for September, please drop me a line at elaine.@telus.net, before August 15.
Hope the rest of your summer is fantastic and get down and enjoy our Sheep River and local events.
Elaine Wansleeben
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