Okotoks residents can immerse themselves in their community's rich culture by taking part in a several activities this weekend.
Okotoks residents can immerse themselves in their community's rich culture by taking part in a several activities this weekend.
The Town's culture and heritage department is inviting the public to challenge themselves with a treasure hunt, take in a concert and play, go on a guided walking tour in the river valley and enjoy lunch at the outdoor piano in celebration of Alberta Culture Days Sept. 30 to Oct. 1.
“It's important to celebrate our culture as an identity,” said Allan Boss, Okotoks culture and heritage manager. “It identifies us with our community and we see what's going on. It's a great opportunity for people to gather at least once a year and put their minds to something that enriches our daily lives.”
Boss said Alberta Culture Days is an opportunity to celebrate the community's culture in a snapshot of activities.
“Everything is free so it becomes a celebration that the entire community can come out and enjoy in a weekend of activities,” he said. “Communities around the world celebrate Culture Days.”
The festivities kick off with the Okotoks Museum and Archives' exhibit Voices from the Engraver, where the public can try their hand at using a guilloche machine to reproduce the elaborate patterns of fine loops and swirls adorning older bank notes on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. They can also participate in a treasure hunt throughout the museum.
On Sept. 30 at 7 p.m. in the Rotary Performing Arts Centre (RPAC), the best of last summer's Buskerfest will be on stage to perform an arrange of talent that drew the attention of thousands in downtown Okotoks last June.
“I think the Best of Buskerfest will be a regular occurrence,” he said. “We get so many talented performers out for that event that it's really nice to give them the opportunity to get on the stage.”
Andrea Spiers, with the Town's culture and heritage department, said seven acts will showcase talent that includes music, juggling, magic and jump rope.
“We've got a real eclectic mix of different entertainment,” she said. “We thought it would be a neat initiative for them to come and play on stage with proper sound equipment and lighting and an audience.”
The Town began offering the Best of Buskersfest as part of Alberta Culture Days last year and Spiers said the plan is to make it a community tradition.
“We are giving them that extra opportunity to play in a real theatre,” she said. “Some of the young kids have never done this before and are so excited to be on a stage for the first time.”
The event is free but registration is required. Register online at okotoksculture.ca or by calling 403-938-3204.
On the following day, Okotoks Museum and Archives specialist Kathy Coutts is offering a guided river walk of the Sheep River Valley where she will talk about the vital role the river plays in the community's history. The walk begins at 2 p.m. at the museum.
Also at 2 p.m., the Dewdney Players Group Theatre will perform a reading in the RPAC called Post-its, which tells the stories of a couple's relationship read entirely from a stack of Post-it notes.
“It tells the story of events in their life and is cleverly written,” said Ed Sands, president of Dewdney Players. “You can just close your eyes and visualize a relationship going on just from little notes written.”
The 15-minute performance will return to the stage that evening at 7 p.m.
Sands said the theatre group, which offers an average of three performances annually, is an integral part of Okotoks' culture.
Alberta Culture Days comes to a close Oct. 2 with the season's final Picnic at the Piano, where the public can bring a lunch and enjoy entertainment by talented pianists. Featured this weekend are Danzel Carrasco and Evangeline Mably.
Boss said the Town was unable to secure a provincial grant to help fund the weekend festivities this year.
“For the last two years we have not gotten the grant,” he said. “I suspect it's the economic situation. This year some of the costs are absorbed by the Town and some by user groups like Dewdney Players.”
The estimated cost to host the event is $5,000, he said.
“There is always a cost associated with it, but we've got to continue doing what's right for the community,” he said.
For more information about Alberta Culture Days go to okotoksculture.ca or check out the Okotoks Culture and Heritage Facebook page.
