BE INSPIRED BY CANADA
Edmonton Fringe Festival Fabulous festivals Alberta's
Alberta may be best known for the Calgary Stampede but remember the province has many other amazing events spread throughout the year. Here are just a few to watch out for and recommend
CANMORE
This vibrant town nestled amidst dramatic rocky peaks and brilliant turquoise glacier- fed rivers stages Canmore Uncorked, a 13-day, award-winning food festival (from April 7) with set-price menus offered by over 35 restaurants, alongside culinary events and cooking courses
tourismcanmore.com. The town also hosts Alberta's oldest folk
event, the Canmore Folk Music Festival (August 1-3)
canmorefolkfestival.com; and the Kananaskis Mountain Festival (July 9 - September 30) with great concerts, top-
notch food and wellness events
tourismcanmore.com.
BANFF There’s no better place to get into the spirit of winter than Banff National Park during the WinterStart Festival (November 21- December 19) with World Cup racing, Santa Claus Parade of Lights, Christmas Train and lots of winter activities
banfflakelouise.com. Or recommend the many activities that run during the SnowDays festival (January 9- February 7 2016) which includes an ice magic festival, ice climbing and The Big Bear events
banfflakelouise.com. Alternatively, your clients can check out the magnificent autumn colours during the Lake Louise Fall Festival (September 5-October 4) when the larches turn to gold as they prepare for winter. Visitors can explore them on foot, horse or canoe
banfflakelouise.com.
EDMONTON
The Edmonton Fringe Festival (August 13-23) is Alberta’s show-stopper arts event with buskers and actors found across the city and over 1500 performers on hand for what is North America’s biggest and oldest
Fringe Festival
fringetheatre.ca.
Top tip...
Alternatively, The Works Art & Design Festival (June 19 to July 1) transforms downtown into a giant pop-up art show and sees hundreds of free outdoor events take over the city. Parks, restaurants, offices, warehouses and empty shops morph into more than 260 impromptu free galleries, exhibits and music venues
theworks.ab.ca. The Edmonton Folk Music Festival (August
tourists alike
jasperheritagerodeo.com. As the nights turn longer, the Jasper Dark Sky Festival (October) offers the opportunity to look up and see the wilderness of Alberta’s stars. The Dark Sky preserve runs events to help visitors enjoy the view
Be sure to book well ahead for the
Calgary Stampede (July 3-12) with its fun barrel racing, bareback, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, saddle bronc and bull riding.
calgarystampede.com
above
jasper.travel/dark- sky-festival-2014/events.
Rather than stay indoors the Jasper in January festival celebrates with cook-offs, music
festivals, street parties, ice bars and plenty of fun for everyone to join in with
jasperinjanuary.com. CALGARY
6-9) is a dizzying four days of music and great food in a stellar setting. Visitors slip into a low lawn chair as an eclectic line-up of bands mix-up folk, Celtic, bluegrass, blues, gospel, roots, 'world beat' and more on the natural amphitheatre
edmontonfolkfest.org.
JASPER
The Jasper Heritage Rodeo (August) began in 1926, born out of the love for horses and to encourage breeding of horses for mountain trails. It's now a professional event but remains a favourite of locals and
SELLING CANADA SPRING/SUMMER 2015 23
The Calgary International Film Festival (September 23-October 4) is a 12-day showcase of over 200 films from across Canada and more than 40 countries complete with gala events and screenings
calgaryfilm.com. FunnyFest Calgary Comedy Festival (May 28 - June 7) delivers non-stop belly laughs with 70 stand- up comics and a variety of performers, over 11 nights
funnyfest.com.
Festival feasting
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