By Gene Kosowan
For a city of less than a million people, Edmonton has a lot going for it in terms of summer events. The Folk and Fringe festivals are huge draws, and a myriad of other attractions see residents from all over Alberta making their way to our city. But for those who want to escape the shadows of the skyscrapers and just rough it for the weekend, here are 10 getaways on the schedule this August. [Photo credit: iStock]
Grab your rod and reel, your dancing shoes and even your baseball glove for the Lac la Biche Pow Wow and Fish Derby August 4 to 7. Running strong since 1965 – older than any folk festival in the province – the region’s flagship event proudly displays its aboriginal traditions with an opening day parade, cultural dancers and displays of pow wows past and present.
To the uninitiated, there’s no valley, but it’s a big draw nonetheless. Big Valley Jamboree, running August 3 to 7 just outside Camrose (an hour southeast of Edmonton), is the prairie mecca of everything country. Keith Urban and Willie Nelson are the big draws during this country summit, with local legends like Adam Gregory and George Fox also hitting the main stage.
You may have had some interesting dates in your time, but more than likely you've never taken a date where nothing exists... yet. It’s an enterprising night being planned by the creators of a work-in-progress attraction in Devon, just a few clicks southwest of Edmonton. Date Night: Aga Khan Garden Construction Tours, taking place August 3, invites folks to see how the ornate garden will be created while taking part in some crafts and enjoying some tasty munchies.
Back in the 1980s, the Blueberry Bluegrass Festival got its name and start when it originally was staged in a community hall in the village of Blueberry. But the festival has grown so much in popularity, producers had to relocate it at the exhibition grounds in Stony Plain August 4 to 6. A highly-anticipated roster includes Blue Highway and local fiddle legend Calvin Vollrath.
The idea of Vikings taking over a prairie town of less than 5,000 might seem arcane until you pore through the history of Didsbury, located about 90-minutes southwest of Edmonton. After getting acquainted with this history of the town, the notion of The Days of Yore Medieval Festival running August 5 and 6 doesn’t sound so unusual.
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Discover more fun things to do in Edmonton this August:
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Cowboys are more prominent in southern Alberta than elsewhere in the province, but their presence up north is still something worth acknowledging. That’s why the Stony Plain Cowboy Festival, taking place August 18 to 20, is a real treat for city folk. Country star Aaron Pritchett headlines the music portion of the event, which also dedicates itself to a celebration of cowboy culture with a wide array of visual art and cowboy poetry.
As far as outdoor music gatherings go, the Bear Creek Folk Festival – taking place near Grande Prairie August 18 to 20 – is still a spring chicken as it gets set for its second annual outing. But with a roster that includes Edmonton favourite 100 Mile House, award-winning guitarist Bill Bourne and children’s entertainer Fred Penner, this event will surely please those on the folk festival circuit.
Ever wonder what the likes of Eric the Red and Ragnar Lodbrok dined on between pillaging and sword rattling? Here’s a chance to find out during the Feast of the Vikings, scheduled August 19 in Innisfail. Here’s a hint: roast pork with red cabbage with roast potatoes in a butter and sugar mixture, all washed down with cups of mead (a honey wine). While your stomach is conquering that Scandinavian cuisine, tour the local viking village, regale in some history and even catch a battle or two.
Vegreville locals call their town "The Veg" – as in rhymes with egg – which is appropriate, considering a giant egg is what has made the town famous. Pay homage to that mysterious oval orb by checking out Veggfest August 25 and 26, which brings music legends Randy Bachman, John Michael Montgomery and The Northern Pikes to entertain the multitudes. While you're there, chow down on a slew of Ukrainian food – no indication on whether egg is on the menu, though.
Beaumont may only be three kilometres south of Edmonton, but that’s not stopping the town from clinging to its agrarian heritage. The Beaumont Rural Roots Fair on August 26 is a testament to that legacy, with a series of agricultural products available, kids activities, horse riding clinics and more. After taking in the day, you’ll be oblivious to the distant skyline of the Alberta capital.
Quite a few of these events are suited for idyllic day drives, while the more adventurous among us may want to turn the trip into a camping expedition. Whichever way you go, enjoy these 10 adventures and discover the best festivals scheduled just a stone's throw from our city.
