Pipestone Flyer
We all know that summer in Alberta is relatively short. Some years it seems like we barely get warm before old man winter rears his ugly head again, but this year we have been blessed with some wonderful weather, and hopefully it will continue on for a while yet. So even though back to school time is fast approaching there are still a few weeks of summer left, and if you want to make the most of them and seemingly extend summer as long as possible, you have come to the right article!
There are so many events packed into the short Alberta summer no one could possibly attend them all, but thankfully there are still many yet to come, and with such a diversity of events there really can be something for everyone. So to help you make the most of the rest of your summer, and even into the fall, this is a compilation of some of the upcoming events within the Counties of Leduc and Wetaskiwin that will hopefully help delay the winter doldrums.
Beginning on August 9-12 at the LRC, the 16th annual Fragapalooza is taking place which will excite gaming aficionados to no end. August 11th sees New Sarepta hosting their annual Teddy Bear Picnic, while on the same day the horsey set will be interested in the Beaumont Carriage Classic running at the Beaumont Fair Grounds. Again on the 11th is Pigeon Lake's annual Art Walk and Sale at the Village at Pigeon Lake, while on the 11&12 Millet's Gospel in the Country takes place at the Millet Agriplex. On the same days at Castrol Raceway there is Night Thunder action as well as street car racing. At sunset (approx. 9:15pm) Sunday August 12th, pending good weather, there will be "Popcorn at the Park" with an outdoor movie being shown at Voyageur Park in Devon, or earlier that day you might want to participate in the Japanese tea ceremony taking place at the Devonian Botanical Gardens. August 18/19 brings a huge celebration of the 65th anniversary at Leduc #1 Energy Discovery Centre, and it is also Calmar's Fair Days and Mega Market. Thursday August 23rd from 5-10pm is Leduc's hugely popular Rock The Rails event at the Leduc Skate Park, while on Saturday August 25th the Friends of the Devon Public Library are having their third annual tailgate sale. Millet's Harvest Fair and Parade takes place on the 25th, as well as the Westerose Show 'N' Shine car show. For a day in the country, the Amazing Corn Maze located part way between Leduc and Millet is open from early August through October and you can check their schedule at www.amazingcornmaze.ca.
September kicks off with the Beaumont Blues Festival beginning on Aug. 31st and running through Sept. 2nd, and who would want to miss the Lakedell Country Fair and Alberta Pickle Championships taking place on the 1st? Then on the 8th is the Community Information and Registration Day at the LRC which gives everyone an itinerary of programs and events taking place through the autumn months. Sunday the 9th is the Family Fall Festival at the Devonian Botanical Gardens, while September 15th brings the Leduc West Antique Society's Country Harvest Festival to their grounds just west of the city. The 15th also sees Wetaskiwin shutting down their main street to host their Arts and Agriculture Festival. Then on Sunday the 16th it is the 32nd annual Terry Fox Run in Leduc, and the 16th is also the day of the New Sarepta Demolition Derby being held just west of the railroad tracks from Main Street. September 22 brings a classic car show to Devon, with the location still to be announced, and Sept. 28-30 is a big weekend at Amberlea Meadows with their Harvest Horse Show taking place.
October brings the Merriot's Turkey Chase in Devon on the 8th, then jumping ahead to the 20th is the Wetaskiwin Health Foundation's Barn Dance and Pie Social. Bringing this list to a close is New Sarepta's Halloween Spooktacular from 1-3 pm on October 27th at their Agriplex.
Now if that isn't enough to keep a person busy and make summer last just a little longer, I don't know what is! Hopefully this list of incredible events taking place across our region gives everyone a reason to get out and enjoy our beautiful portion of Alberta and the remainder of our summer. I hope to see you out there!