What a great Parade we had at the beginning of June! We had lots of people show up to watch our annual Parade, lots of children had fun watching the floats, gathering up candy, and heading over to the Valley afterwards for all the excitement going on over there. Thank you to all the volunteers who put together and helped out, it wouldn’t happen without you and it surely is appreciated.
Volunteers are needed for the 2023 Summer Games that will be held in Diamond Valley and Okotoks from July 20-23. We will welcome 3000 athletes and coaches from around the province who will compete in 14 different sports. If you would like to volunteer in set up and take down, food services, transportation, or the triathlon, you can sign up at 2023asg.com/volunteers. There will be an opening ceremony on July 20 at 7:00 pm at the Seaman Stadium in Okotoks which promises amazing entertainment as well as the famous Lighting of the Torch. For tickets and all the information about the Games, please visit 2023asg.com.
Canada Day is July 1 and Diamond Valley invites all to celebrate with the Diamond Valley Splash and Dash. This event features a pool swim and a run on the Friendship Trail. To sign up and to find out details, you can go to mrpreierevent.com/diamond-valley-splash-and-dash.
Registration is now open for our own High Country Minor Hockey Association. Wayne Gretzky once said “a good hockey player plays where the puck is, a great hockey player plays where to puck is going to be.” It’s a great sport and the High Country Rockies conditioning camp starts September 11. So if you’re interested in becoming the next Gretzky, you can register online from 8am-8pm at highcountryrockies.ca, registration closes online on July 31.
Rowan House is hosting their 2nd annual Golf Tournament on July 6. Your support of this event provides crisis intervention, long-term support and preventative education to break the cycle of domestic abuse in our community. There will be a shot-gun start at 1:30 at the beautiful Turner Valley Golf Course, with a fantastic dinner afterwards. If you are not a golfer, you are still welcome to attend the dinner. Cost for golfers is $200 which includes a round of golf, a cart, dinner, and programme. Dinner only is $60 and funds raised will go towards Rowan House. To sign up and for more details, you can go to Rowan House’s website or call Kelly at 403-601-9162.
July 30 in the Diamond Valley will be a fun and busy day with two major events, the first being the Show and Shine Car Show from 10-4. Head to Black Diamond and the Show will be held just off the Main Streets, watch for signage but it will be easy to find with all the gorgeous cars, trucks, and bikes on display. To register your amazing vehicle, or to find out more, you can email cj.killenger@yahoo.com.
The first annual Ian Tyson Memorial Music Festival will be held on July 30 also from 12-9 up behind the High School at 6th avenue and 3rd Street in Black Diamond, at the Irma Joy Brown Park. This festival is dubbed “Fly Spirit Fly” and is a tribute to the legendary singer-songwriter Ian Tyson with a line-up including John Wort Hannam and more great artists. There will also be Sam King’s Ride the Vibe Motorcycle Stunt Show and Jackie Soppit’s Wandering Spirits Dance Troupe. Put that together with Malcolm the Magician, Vito’s Balloon Artistry, Local Artisan Vendors, Beer Gardens, and Food Vendors, and you have a really good day here in the Foothills. For tickets and more info, go to Showpass.com/iantysondv2023.
The Christ Church in Millarville will be hosting their annual Flower Festival on July 15 from 11-3. This is their 59th annual Festival and what it includes is a Strawberry Tea, and tour of the beautiful grounds and cemetery, and of course, lots and lots of beautiful fragrant flowers and greenery throughout, with hanging baskets and displays of flowers. It’s only $8 for this lovely day. Christ Church is located at 144190 Hwy 549West.
Now that summer is really kicking into gear, the Sheep River is a popular spot to cool down on a hot day. If you are new to the area or even if you’re a seasoned river dweller, please be aware of Safety on the Sheep River. Slippery rocks can cause falls and feet can become trapped, and rivers in the Foothills can contain debris like logs and overhanging trees. Swimmers and rafters can easlly get caught in these hazards and the current can cause them to become trapped. It is important to scout the river and assess dangers. Go with a buddy, closely supervise children, don’t drink, check the forecast before heading out, and never dive into shallow waters as there may be hidden hazards underneath. Please take all your garbage with you and please don’t take glass bottles as we don’t want our children, pets, or ourselves cutting our feet with broken glass.
Finally, I must make a correction on last month’s issue in regards to traffic lights coming to the four way stop in Turner Valley. I know I read that information online and scoured my notes as to where I read that and it seems I lost those particular notes. There aren’t any plans at this time for traffic lights in Turner Valley, my apologies for my incorrect information.
If you have any events happening in the Diamond Valley for the month of August please drop me a line before July 15 at elaine.w@telus.net. Have a great July everyone!
Elaine Wansleeben
