Summertime

...and the Living is Easy

By Terri Mason

Writing our annual Events Guide is like making out my wish list of places I want to see, events I want to attend and skills I want to learn.

Calgary of course is home to the famous Calgary Stampede and all the great fun that goes along with it. Not only is there great rodeo action, but also the largest western art show and sale in the West. The juried show attracts the top western artists in the land and their work is stunning. My goal is to have four seasons of original art and giclees; to be able to change out the paintings in my home four times a year would be fabulous. Now with the Western Photo Gallery and competition, shutter art is becoming prominent in my home as well. With so many friends in the south, it’s a natural to take in the Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede. It started as an agricultural show in 1887 and today I go for some great rodeo and the sizzling night shows when the grandstand rocks with great country bands!

Another major event that has attracted people from all over is the Canadian Badlands Passion Play, staged each summer in the evocative setting of the badlands near Drumheller. Be carried back 2000 years and witness the dramatic portrayal of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ in an acoustically superb natural bowl amphitheatre. The scripture-based script and music, realistic set and costumes, quality performances and remarkable similarity to the Holy Land all add to the experience. The staging and production are renowned, earning the Passion Play the distinction of being named Alberta’s Top Cultural Attraction and one of the Top 100 Events in North America.

One place that I also want to visit this summer is Manitou Beach in Saskatchewan. With a specific density greater than the Dead Sea it is impossible to sink in its salt and mineral waters. I think the real reason I want to go to Manitou Beach is because of Danceland. It’s a pre-WWII-era architecturally gorgeous dancehall with a massive, horsehair cushioned, antique maple dance floor. This is where my parent’s romance began. I grew up hearing stories of the wonderful dances and great dance bands that play all summer long, and I think it’s time I danced again. Plus, there is also a great spa so I’ll probably end up taking my fabulous sister, Deb.

In southern B.C., I plan to climb aboard for a tour on the beautifully restored 2141 “Spirit of Kamloops” — one of the few operating steam locomotives in Canada. Rumour has it we might experience a recreated hold-up by the infamous Billy Miner gang, so I’ll take my sister along on that too. I’ll keep my wallet and hand her over. She can’t ride and she’s stubborn, so she’ll slow them down in their escape.

Add all this to a summer schedule of shopping, including cowboy gear at the Pincher Creek Poetry Gathering and cowboy music at festivals and concerts all summer long.

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