EDMONTON, ALBERTA -- (Marketwire) -- 06/10/11 -- Editor's Note: There is an image associated with this release.
You uncover the orphaned baby robin. Her little face pops up and her beak opens, you take the syringe you've filled with a concoction of crushed insects, cat food and vitamins, and delicately feed her. At Medicine River Wildlife Centre, 25 minutes west of Innisfail, you can volunteer or explore the new wheelchair friendly, one kilometer nature trail for free as rare wild orchids thrive around you. (403.728.3467)
Hear that cowboy crooning to his cow to calm her down? That's poetry, pardner. Years ago, cowboys soothed their cattle with stories and songs. They got so good at it, people gathered around. At the Cowboy Gathering at Pincher Creek (June 17-20), listen to homespun country wisdom, bite into AAA Alberta beef, swing your partner and enjoy the stars while you camp. (403.627.3684)
The lights dim, there's a rustling as other theatre goers tuck their playbills into their laps, then a striking blonde woman strides onto the stage and ignites as the spotlight hits her. You've just had dinner, and now, just steps away from The Mercantile Dining Room; you're enjoying a live play at the 100th anniversary of Alberta's Rosebud Theatre. It's country comfort with big city talent. (1.800.267.7553)
Kids are shouting during their tug-of-war behind you, but your eyes are on the prize the giant sand turtle you're building on the Devonshire Beach shore. You've slopped water from Lesser Slave Lake for your mix and now you're patting the turtle's shell into place, even as that guy with the black pirate headband uncovers a tentacle for his sand squid. Or is that a kraken? Be there on July 16 for the Alberta Open Sand Sculpture Championship.
Settled deeply into your worn lawn chair with a sunhat that spills just the right amount of sunshine onto your bare feet, you let Route 66 come to you - it's just one of the bands performing at Athabasca's Magnificent River Rats Festival (July 1-2). You might get up to peek under a shiny hood at the auto show, but right now, you're idling. Happily. (1.877.211.8669)
Settlers and town folk are going about their business, dressed in turn of the century garb, as you stroll down 1905 Street eating a fresh cookie from the bakery. You are looking to ride that trolley they told you about and explore the new 1920's-style Capital Theatre. The whistle of the steam train turns your head as you become immersed in the experience of Fort Edmonton Park. (780.442.5311)
You lower your pan into the water and start mining for gold. Sure, it looks like only gravel and sand and muck, but when you wash away the debris, there are tiny gold dust particles. You've struck pay dirt! Will you get rich panning for gold with Edmonton's Black Gold River Tours? Unlikely. Will you have a blast along the North Saskatchewan River? You betcha. (780.987.0410)
Slide into that 1951 Chevy convertible, recline in the seat, and as you enjoy the drive-in movie theatre display, look around. At the Gasoline Alley exhibition in Calgary's Heritage Park, Canada's largest living heritage museum, you're in the midst of the transportation revolution. Hey, there's a two-seater 1912 Little Roadster, from when gas was (sigh) 18 cents per gallon. Maybe that vintage pump over there still works... (403.268.8500)
Ten days of celebrating western heritage and culture, along with the best in pop and rock and country music, a mind blowing nightly stage show, heart-thumping chuck wagon races - oh yeah, and midway rides, corn dogs, mini donuts and Alberta beef on a bun. Watch 120 of the world's elite rodeo athletes compete until the dust settles to reveal the best at the Calgary Stampede July 8-17. Yeehaw! (1.800.661.1260)
They fly past you in a whirring rush that seems to suck the breath right out of you, even though it's really the cyclists whose lungs are fighting to gulp every inch of mountain air for fuel. Two of these competitive Banff National Park Bike Fest events (June 16-19) are family friendly. Maybe you'll compete. By just watching, you're already riding high.
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Contacts:
Travel Alberta Visitor Information Centre
P.O. Box 2500, Edmonton, AB, Canada T5J 2Z4
Within North America: 1.800.ALBERTA (252.3782)
Outside North America: 1.780.427.4321
travelinfo@TravelAlberta.com