There will be loads of fun things for families, local residents and visitors to explore during this year’s Lacombe Culture & Harvest Festival which kicks off Sept. 29th.
Activities run through to Sunday, and the event is being hosted by Lacombe Regional Tourism. It’s also running in celebration of Alberta Culture Days Sept. 29th to Oct. 1st as well.
The Lacombe Culture & Harvest Festival is Lacombe’s annual tribute to Alberta Culture Days and National Culture Days being celebrated in communities across Canada.
The jam-packed festival celebrates the agricultural heritage and arts and culture of the Lacombe region.
”It’s a really neat partnership with a lot of groups,” said Angel Hand, marketing and event coordinator for Lacombe Regional Tourism.
This year marks her third festival. “This year, for instance, the downtown core has gotten together and they are doing a scarecrow competition and scavenger hunt,” she said, adding there will be sidewalk sales for folks to explore as well.
“They’re really bringing a unique festival atmosphere to the downtown,” she said. “It should be fun! I believe there will be about 27 scarecrows. They are also encouraging everyone to go and get their pictures taken by one of the scarecrows and then to post it on social media - that kind of gets the buzz going, too.”
Another big highlight this year is a run of screenings from the Central Alberta Film Festival at the Lacombe Memorial Centre as well. For film schedules, check out www.cafilmfestival.ca.
Originally held in Red Deer earlier this year, it will indeed add an international flair to the event, too. “They love the facility here, and the community, so they just want to come and share what they are all about.”
Hand said there is also much more taking place on the ag grounds as well.
Other highlights include free family-friendly activities, exhibits, demonstrations, wagon rides, markets, petting zoos, live music, local food and drink.
An outdoor movie night runs the evening of Sept. 29th on the Kraay Family Farm kicking off at 8 p.m.
Also, the Bill Nielsen Trail Run goes Sept. 30th at 10 a.m. There are also the hugely popular horse-drawn wagon rides throughout the historic downtown through the day as well, along with musical performances, children’s activities and wrapping up the day will be a Lacombe Cenotaph Historical Designation Ceremony at 7 p.m.
On Sunday, check out St. Andrew’s Church Anniversary celebrations getting started at 10:30 a.m. and Michener House Museum self-guided tours - among plenty more to keep the family entertained and busy through the day.
Hand pointed out that thanks to the solid support given the event, almost everything is free to check out.
“There are no barriers to families and people of all ages coming to enjoy the festival,” she said, adding how much she enjoys chatting with people through the course of the event, and gathering their feedback.
“I think it’s really diverse. We have everything from the brewers and distillers that are having tours and tastings to music to artistic events. Like the name says, there are cultural things - heritage events - the museums are all open and doing things, too. It’s such a collaborative community event,” she said, adding there is also a Children’s County Fair included as well at the LMC. “Wee’re very proud of the partners that work with us.”
Ultimately, there is pretty much something for any taste.
“It’s a little bit of everything for everybody.”
Locally, the festival program and list of events is also available online at www.lacombetourism.com.