June 21st is National Indigenous Peoples Day in Canada. It’s a time to celebrate, honour and learn more about our history and culture! Events take place throughout the month of June, but here’s what’s happening around Alberta in the next week or so…
My first born. This beautiful, tall, lean, long physique, gorgeous smile, thoughtful, patient, gooby sense of humour, mini-man. And promptly burst into tears. It has been such a surprisingly long road, it’s not over, but man!
Suddenly he’s 16 and adulthood is around the corner. For him! I can barely believe that I’m no longer the “young adult”. I still can’t exhale. I’m still scared. When he was first born, to the oft asked “How is he? How is motherhood?” I would reply, “Still alive,” not because he had any history of disease, but because it was my new mantra and let’s be honest, many an African violet and bamboo plant have expired in my care. And now I had a human?!?!
Christmas Glow is coming to Enjoy Centre and it’s going to be the largest indoor family Christmas festival in the Edmonton area!
Christmas Glow Garden is in town from November 22 – January 19 at the Enjoy Centre in St. Albert and will feature:
The new year fun doesn’t have to stop once you have kids, it just looks…. different… and happens a lot earlier than midnight (thank goodness).
Hit up some of these mostly FREE family-friendly New Years Eve events across Alberta this New Years and then head home to the warmth of your couch to bring the New Years in with your jammies on and a glass of champagne in hand 🙂
Did you know that girls quit sports at 6 x the rate of boys? I didn’t. Not until I got involved with Fast and Female, a not-for-profit organization founded in 2005 by Olympic Gold Medalist and Canmore native, Chandra Crawford. The organization aims to change the culture for girls in sport and to keep girls happy, healthy, and active in sport through their teens.
When girls quit sports, they lose out on opportunities to develop life skills that build confidence and empower them for life. Fast and Female believes that when coaches and parents are more supportive, girls feel less pressure to perform, and teammates learn the skills to get along…the sport culture will be FUN, positive, and empowering – and girls won’t feel the need to quit.
“I’m totally focused on changing the culture for girls in sports to be more positive and so they don’t quit and miss out on the resilience-building benefits of sport participation. This is not just my passion or purpose in life… it’s my destiny!”
At Fast and Female events, participants ages 8-18 meet inspiring elite female athletes and Olympians (ambassadors); make friends and connections, and learn strategies to overcome barriers to continued participation in sport.
As a former National Team athlete, I think I had always known that barriers existed for girls in sport, but no one really talked about it. Things like girls bullying girls, problematic body image ideals, the pressure to specialize, overtraining, eating disorders, anxiety, and social pressures are all major concerns for girls (and parents of girls) participating in sport. Fast and Female addresses those issues and has had a big impact on the way I think about female participation in sport altogether.
One of the things I have learned during my time at Fast and Female is that role models come in all shapes and sizes and that they are a major factor in motivating girls to dream big and be bold. Whether it’s a mother, big sister, teacher, astronaut, or athlete, a strong female role model can make a profound and lasting impression on a young girl.
Though she never tires of changing culture and promoting positivity, Chandra recently found a little more motivation in a source that hits close to home. When asked how motherhood has changed her outlook at Fast and Female, she replied, “Pardon the expletive, but now that I have a daughter, s**t just got extra real for me and I want so badly for her to have positive sport experiences!” By educating, raising awareness, and changing the culture for girls in sport, Fast and Female is committed to making the sport experience more positive for girls, coaches, and parents alike.
The team works tirelessly to connect thousands of girls across North America with elite female athlete role models, and Chandra remains a strong role model in and out of sport to so many women and girls – including me!
If you’re looking for an inspiring event for a girl you know and love, check out our schedule of upcoming events:
Photo credit “Dave Holland, CSI Calgary”
By Maria Flores-Achtymichuk
I work part time at the Alberta Association of Agricultural Societies and I must admit that I am both excited and amazed at all the fairs and events happening in Alberta’s small towns! Being a festival goer myself, I love seeing all the different events in the city, but this year I’d really love to check out some of the festival and fairs being put on by the AG Societies!
There are SOOO many events that I want to check out this summer but, here are a handful of events that stood out for me.
Radway – 33rd Annual Wild Rose Grand North American Old time Fiddle Championship
Come for the music & Stay for the food. Free camping ( no hookups)
Nearest Motel in Waskatenau (10 min) or three motels near Redwater (15 min ) Radway is located 70km NE or Edmonton on Hwy 28
For information on Tickets, please call us at (780.) 736.3766 or contact us on Facebook or RadwayAgriculturalSociety@hotmail.com
July 14, 2017 at 5:30pm
Lloydminster’s-Colonial Days Fair 2017
Colonial Days 2017: July 12-15! The Parade takes place on July 12, 2017 and has something for everyone! The Parade starts at 10:00am! We have all the midway rides (from mild to wild), skill testing games, outstanding entertainment, agriculture and livestock shows, along with special feature events like grandstand concerts, monster trucks, demolition derby and MORE!
http://lloydexh.com/colonialdaysfair/
Bruderheim – Model T Races
July 29, 2017 at 8am – at the Bruderheim AG Grounds
The Bruderheim Ag Society is pleased to partner with Matt Hotte and his crew to host the Model T Races .
Join us for the most exciting event of the summer!
The day will consist of Pancake breakfast from 8-10am * Time trials start around 11:30 am Races start around 1!
Motorcycles! Car show! Displays! Vendors! Meet the drivers check out the pit area
http://bruderheimagsoc.ca/
Darwell – BARNBURNER MUSIC FEST / AG DRAG / QUAD WARS / SUMMER FAIR
The outdoor (rain or shine) Barnburner Music Fest is one weekend prior to the annual fair. Friday, August 11, 2017. Gates open at 6:00 p.m. Concert starts at 7:00 p.m. Camping available in designated area (Field East of Fair Grounds) only during BarnBurner MusicFest weekend. Parking is Free! Ticket Prices: $40 in Advance / $50 at the Gate. Located west of Edmonton on highway 16, turn north on highway 765 just before the stop sign turn right into the fair grounds. Corner of highway 765 and highway 633.
https://www.darwellag.com/home.html
Picture Butte Jamboree Days + Harvest Days !
Come and enjoy a Bench Fair, Parade, Breakfasts, Prairie Tractor Events, Family Dance, Fireworks, Kids Day in the Park, Movie Night. Harvest Days are put on by the Prairie Tractor & Engine Society Museum at the Coyote Flats Pioneer Village. They are a depiction of what harvest looked like back in the “old days”. Many events serve to show the ways of life in the past; to show the younger generations and remind the older ones where our community originated. Entertainment and activities, including threshing demonstrations, tractor pulls, horse pulls, the Parade of Power, and any other miscellaneous entertainment.
August 18, 2017 at 9am
http://www.picturebutte.ca/govt/contact.php
Strathmore Stampede and Heritage Days
The Strathmore Stampede is the Strathmore & District Agricultural Society’s largest annual event. This community event has been happening each year since its commencement in 1966, bringing in fans from all o
over the world. Entertainment for the weekend includes the rodeo, chuckwagons, running with the bulls, stage & grounds entertainment, tradeshow, beer gardens, concessions and a creative arts show.
http://www.strathmorestampede.com
2017-08-04 to 2017-08-07
Priddis & Millarville – 110th County Fair
The Priddis & Millarville Fair is one of Southern Alberta’s oldest and largest country fairs. Located at the Millarville Racetrack and co-hosted with the Millarville Farmers’ Market, the Fair is the place to come to learn about Alberta’s agricultural history, touch the animals, view the creations of local artisans, gardeners, photographers and wood workers. We have antique tractors, cars and trucks that span generations, horse riding events of all types, and contests – pie eating, rooster crowing, watermelon eating, youth talent.
http://www.millarvilleracetrack.com/millarville-events/fair/
2017-08-19 to 2017-08-20
For more info on other events in rural Alberta – check the event page at :
albertaagsocieties.ca/fairs-events/
Maria is a mom of two rambunctious boys and caregiver to her aging mother. Juggling family life, work, and a social life has its struggles, but she tries to make it all work together.
As the resident hippie of Alberta Mamas I want to share where you can get your Yoga On in celebration of summer solstice and International Yoga Day in Edmonton. If the 21st doesn’t work for you, there are a few events happening all week celebrating it.
Embrace the Goddess – June 20th 7-9pm
Held downtown at Aurora Yoga and Spa a yoga and meditation with essential oils. Tickets purchased through the event page.
The CommUNITY Classes – June 21st 6-7 pm
A weekly FREE yoga class held inside the Thrive studio at the Mosaic Centre.
Sunrise Solstice Namaskar – June 21st 6- 7:30 am
Held in Hawerlak Park first thing in the morning with a live DJ from the It’s Time To Bloom people. This event is hosted by Sattva Yoga. This is a FREE event.
Community For A Cause: Yoga In The Park June 21st 5-9pm
Held in Spruce Grove by Be Free Yoga, all money raised goes to bringing yoga and meditation to those struggling with mental illness. Vendor shopping and the practice is from 7-8pm. Tickets can be purchased through the event.
Summer Solstice: Women’s Circle + Mini Ritual June 21st 3-4:30pm
Held online by She Collective so you can participate wherever you are. Tickets can be purchased through the event.
Family Friendly International Yoga Day and Aboriginal Day June 21st 6-8:30pm
A celebration of both yoga and Aboriginal Day with lots of activities for everyone and a chance to support of community here in our city.
Summer Solstice By Donation Class June 23rd 7:30-9:30 pm
Held at Above Average Yoga with donation to the food bank with either food or cash.
Family Friendly International Yoga Day Celebration June 24th 12-5pm
Food trucks, face painters, henna, prizes and music. Good for the whole family fun hosted by Lahari in St. Albert. This event if FREE.
About the Author
Jen is a yoga teacher and health and fitness enthusiast over at BitchinHousewife.com