TL;DR
It is a long weekend, and there is a lot on. Slo-pitch nationals take over Leduc's William F Lede Park Friday through Monday, with figure skating running at the same time at the rec centre. Beaumont marks Heritage Day with an open house at the St. Jacques museum on Monday, and Devon's free Summer Shack lands at Centennial Park on Friday. If you are heading into the city, the Heritage Festival is free at Hawrelak Park all three days, and Prairie Gardens has its Fairy Berry Festival if you fancy the drive. Two things to check before you go anywhere: Michigan Street is closed in Devon, and there is a blue-green algae advisory at Pigeon Lake.
What to do
THIS WEEKEND AT A GLANCE
St. Jacques museum - Beaumont
Friday July 31
Slo-pitch nationals begin, Leduc.
Summer Shack at Centennial Park, Devon.
Live horse racing at Century Mile, post time 6:15 PM.
Saturday August 1
Leduc Farmers Market, 10 AM to 1:30 PM.
Heritage Festival opens in Edmonton at noon.
Fairy Berry Festival begins at Prairie Gardens.
Sunday August 2
Nationals continue.
Heritage Festival runs 10 AM to 9 PM.
Monday August 3, Heritage Day
Beaumont Heritage Day at the St. Jacques museum, 1 to 4 PM.
Heritage Festival wraps at 8 PM.
Final day of the slo-pitch nationals.
The Plans
YOUR WEEKEND BREAKDOWN
LEDUC
SPN Co-ed National Championship
Friday July 31 to Monday August 3, William F Lede Park, 4524 47 Ave. Top slo-pitch teams from across the country, in Leduc for four days. Free to watch, and a genuinely good excuse to bring a lawn chair.
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Wild Rose Invitational Figure Skating Competition
Through Monday August 3, Leduc Recreation Centre, 4330 Black Gold Dr. Skaters of all levels from across Canada, hosted by the Alberta Figure Skating Foundation.
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Leduc Farmers Market
Saturday, 10 AM to 1:30 PM at the Leduc Recreation Centre. Running Thursdays and Saturdays right through to September 26.
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Century Mile Racing
Live thoroughbred racing Friday, post time 6:15 PM, out in Nisku.
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St. Jacques Heritage House Museum
BEAUMONT
Beaumont Heritage Day
Monday August 3, 1 to 4 PM, St. Jacques Heritage House Museum, 3116 49 Street. Open house with old-time games and refreshments, and a chance to sign up for their Family History Course running in September. A nice low-key way to spend the holiday Monday.
Learn more
DEVON
Summer Shack
Friday July 31 at Centennial Park, 10 AM to 2 PM. Free drop-in for kids 5 and up, with sports, crafts and games run by a coordinator on site. No sign-up. A parent or guardian needs to stay nearby, and it can be cancelled for weather.
Learn more
Devon Community Pool
Open again after its maintenance shutdown, so it is back in play for the long weekend.
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Devon Historical Society
Thursday evening at the 1949 Building, 4 to 8 PM.
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Voyageur Park River Trail
Reopened after crews cleared storm damage and wasp nests. Good for an easy walk by the river.
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ANYTHING WE MISSED?
If you have an event you want included in our newsletter, email us the details!
More to explore
WORTH THE DRIVE
Edmonton Heritage Festival
Saturday to Monday, Hawrelak Park. Free entry, 53rd year, and the world's largest three-day multicultural festival. Saturday noon to 9 PM, Sunday 10 AM to 9 PM, Monday 10 AM to 8 PM.
Two things that catch people out every year: pavilions take debit and credit only, no cash (there are gift card booths if you need to convert), and there is no public parking at the park, so plan on ETS park and ride. No pets except service animals.
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Fairy Berry Festival at Prairie Gardens
Saturday to Monday, Bon Accord, about an hour and fifteen north. Working farm with a petting farm and u-pick strawberries, and this is their long weekend event. Ticketed, so buy before you drive out, and call 780-921-2272 first to check picking conditions.
Learn more
Free for the kids until September 7
Two reminders while the Canada Strong Pass is still running: Elk Island National Park is free for everyone, and Reynolds-Alberta Museum in Wetaskiwin is free for anyone 17 and under, with the Reynolds discount claimed at the admissions desk rather than online. Both are inside an hour's drive.
The Buzz
THIS WEEKS NEWS
In case you missed it, these were the headlines of the week:
Image credit: https://www.aboutamazon.ca/
Amazon opens disaster relief hub in Nisku
Amazon has opened a wildfire-focused disaster relief centre in Nisku, stocking specialized gear for donation to non-profits like the Canadian Red Cross and Team Rubicon Canada. It is operational now, with a formal opening in October once it reaches full capacity of more than 180,000 emergency supplies. It is only the second wildfire-dedicated facility Amazon has built anywhere in the world.
Read more (onefm.ca)
Image credit: Town of Calmar
Calmar Crossing, a 33,000 square foot plaza on 50 Avenue, is roughly four times the size of the town's previous largest development. Anchored by Shell and a global fast-food chain, it is expected to create about 100 jobs, and a later phase should bring a grocery store, medical services and a pharmacy.
Read more (onefm.ca)
Image: https://www.onefm.ca/
Leduc County signs aerospace and defence agreement
Leduc County has signed an agreement with Sturgeon County, Cold Lake and the Edmonton International Airport to grow the region's aviation, aerospace and defence sectors through training, investment and business development. The partners will also jointly push the province to recognize Highway 28 as a key economic corridor.
Read more (onefm.ca)
Town of Devon
Devon names business park pond after Karen Macaulay
Council approved the Devon Nature Club's request to name the stormwater facility in the Devonian Business Park "Karen's Pond," recognizing Karen Macaulay for her long-running work in environmental stewardship. Council also approved an updated Community Grant Program Policy at the same meeting.
Read more (devon.ca)
A Final Note
CLOSURES & CHANGES
Before you head out this weekend:
Pigeon Lake: Blue-green algae has been identified in the water. Avoid contact with visible blooms and keep pets out. Details
Devon: Michigan Street is closed for stormwater main replacement. Details
Devon: Branch waste disposal hours have changed. Details
Devon: The bulk water station's on-site payment system is down. Details
Beaumont: Construction starting at 50 Street and Coloniale Way. Details
Devon RCMP warning: Scam texts asking for health card information are circulating. Do not reply or click. Details
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Aug 10 Beaumont fall rec registration opens for residents, general Aug 12
Aug 15 Devon's Mega Market Bash, the final Downtown Market of the season
Aug 27 First day of school, Black Gold School Division
Sep 7 Canada Strong Pass ends, so the free museum and park entry stops
Until next time,
GOT SOMETHING FOR THE BUZZ?
Send us your lost pets, garage sales, fundraisers, volunteer callouts, minor sports results and new openings. Photos welcome!