🌄 Foothills Scoop

👋 Hello Neighbours:
Happy almost-weekend, Foothills! After the wild weather this week, the vibe is basically: layer up, drive smart, and pick an indoor plan (or two). Here’s what’s confirmed for Fri, Feb 20 to Sun, Feb 22, 2026 across Okotoks, High River, Diamond Valley, Longview, and the county.

✨ In Today’s Edition:
🏒 Hockey Helps Hospice night in Okotoks
🎭 Dinner-theatre mystery keeps rolling in Longview
📰 Road bans + fire restriction updates for the County

🚧 Downtown Okotoks work is moving ahead along Riverside Drive
If you’ve been noticing more planning chatter around the river corridor, you’re not imagining it—Okotoks is moving forward with road/sewer/intersection improvements tied to the broader downtown redevelopment work. Expect this to be one of those projects that quietly shapes traffic patterns and downtown access as it progresses. If you commute through the core or access river pathways frequently, it’s worth skimming the details so you’re not surprised by detours or staging. (And yep—this is the kind of work that tends to pop up in phases.)

🚒 Foothills County update: Fire restrictions lifted + 2026 road bans now in effect
Two quick but important County notes: Fire restrictions were lifted effective Wednesday, Feb 18, 2026, following recent conditions. Also, 2026 road bans (vehicle weight restrictions) took effect Thursday, Feb 19, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.—especially relevant if you’re hauling, working rural routes, or booking deliveries.

🎭 Opening Gaits is looking for more volunteers — and more “horse people” to join the heartbeat of their program
Tucked away at a private equine facility in DeWinton, Opening Gaits Therapeutic Riding Society is doing something pretty powerful: pairing carefully selected, gentle horses with specially trained instructors to support children and adults living with cognitive and/or physical disabilities. Established in 1998, the charity has served families from both Calgary and the Foothills for decades—helping riders build flexibility, balance, strength, and confidence in a setting that’s equal parts fun and meaningful. But the program only works because of volunteers who groom and tack up horses, lead in the arena, and side-walk to keep riders safe and encouraged. They’re now looking to grow that volunteer stable (age 16+), with weekly shifts from early October to mid-May—especially on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.

• 🧒 Afterschool Drop-In Shinny — Fri, Feb 20, 3:45 PM - 4:45 PM, Diamond Valley. A simple, solid “burn off the week” plan for kids.

• 📚 Okotoks Public Library Book Sale — Sat, Feb 21, 10:00 AM–4:00 PM, Okotoks Public Library. Stock up on cheap reads and walk out feeling wildly productive.

• 🎶 The Wardens in Concert — Fri, Feb 20, 7:30 PM, Okotoks (Okotoks Recreation Centre / Event Centre). Big prairie energy, big harmonies—this one’s a proper “buy the ticket, thank yourself later” show.
• 🏒 Hockey Helps Hospice Game: Okotoks Oilers vs Cranbrook Bucks — Fri, Feb 20, 7:05 PM, Viking Rentals Centre, Okotoks. A hometown game night with a cause (Foothills County Hospice).
• 🎭 Raiders of the Lost Lemon Mine: Dinner Theatre — Fri, Feb 20 (evening show), Twin Cities Saloon, Longview. Interactive mystery + dinner = peak winter outing.
• 🎵 Live Music at Eau Claire Distillery (Speakeasy): Carter Felker — Fri, Feb 20, 6–9 PM, Turner Valley. Cozy speakeasy vibes and a built-in “treat yourself” night.

• 📚 Okotoks Public Library Book Sale — Sat, Feb 21, 10:00 AM–4:00 PM, Okotoks Public Library. Stock up on cheap reads and walk out feeling wildly productive.
• 🎭 Raiders of the Lost Lemon Mine: Dinner Theatre — Sat, Feb 21, 5:30 PM, Twin Cities Saloon, Longview. Date night, friend night, “we needed out of the house” night.
• 🔮 Jennie Ogilvie: Canada’s Unconventional Medium (Live) — Sat, Feb 21, 7:00–9:00 PM, High River Legion (Branch 71). If you like your Saturday plans a little spooky-curious, this is the one.

• 🎭 Raiders of the Lost Lemon Mine: Dinner Theatre — Sun, Feb 22, 5:30 PM, Twin Cities Saloon, Longview. End the weekend with a mystery and someone else cooking dinner.

• ✍️ High River Writers’ Ink Monthly Meeting — Thu, Feb 26, 6:30–8:00 p.m., High River United Church (123 Macleod Trail SW). Aspiring and accomplished writers (16+) from all genres are invited to connect, share, and sharpen their craft; membership is free, with a $2 drop-in fee for room rental. FMI: [email protected] or 403-422-1099.

It’s a very cold weekend across the Foothills. Expect highs around -10°C to -6°C with serious overnight lows, and a chance of a little snow Sunday in High River. Dress for it (and don’t forget the gloves if you’re doing any outdoor bits between stops).

• 🚗 Road conditions + winter driving: Between the recent storm and ongoing cold, locals are swapping road updates and “how was Highway 2 for you?” style check-ins. (Also: County road bans are now active—worth knowing if you’re hauling or rural commuting.)
• 👮 Policing priorities: Foothills RCMP / enforcement are asking residents for feedback via a 2026 community survey—expect this to come up in local conversations, especially around response times and priorities.

That’s your Foothills weekend menu! If you spot a great local event I should add next week (especially live music, trivia, open mics, or community fundraisers), send it my way—and if you’ve got a friend who’s always asking “what should we do this weekend?”, forward them Foothills Scoop.