🌄 Foothills Scoop

👋 Hello Neighbours!

Hello Foothills neighbours. This weekend leans cozy and community-minded: theatre nights in Okotoks, a big Burns celebration, family programs, and a strong slate of live music—plus a Sunday hockey road game if you want to follow along.

✨ In Today’s Edition:
🏴 Robbie Burns festivities (and other big Friday-night options)
🎭 Great Gatsby + live roots music + community workshops
❄️ Cold weekend forecast, with a warmer swing by Sunday

Foothills County public hearings: registration deadline is Sunday, Jan 25 (4:30 p.m.).
Foothills County has published its notice of upcoming public hearings/meetings for land use redesignations and amendments, with hearings listed for Wednesday, Jan 28, 2026. Participation is offered in a hybrid format (in person or via Zoom), and written submissions are also accepted. The notice emphasizes that the deadline to register to participate or to submit a letter is 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, Jan 25, 2026. If you’ve got an interest in how growth and land use are evolving, this is one of the clearest ways to stay involved early.

Foothills County roadside brushing notice: Priddis Valley Road area.
Foothills County posted a notice regarding “186 Ave and Priddis Valley Road Brushing” dated January 5, 2026. If you’re regularly driving or living near those corridors, it’s worth a quick look to understand the scope and timing, especially where roadside conditions and visibility can change mid-winter.

Family Centre weekend programming in High River keeps the little ones busy (and parents connected).
The Greater Foothills Family Centre has confirmed kids-and-caregiver programming across the weekend window, including Messy Play for 1’s & 2’s on Friday (Jan 23, 10–11 a.m.) and Stay & Play on Saturday (Jan 24, 9–11:30 a.m.). These are the kinds of low-pressure, high-value community programs that quietly make winter feel more manageable. If you’re new to town (or just craving more parent community), these sessions are an easy way to meet people and build routine. Registration is required for some programs, so check details before heading over.

Diamond Valley’s library is leaning into “winter fun that actually works.”
Sheep River Library has multiple confirmed weekend events—from a PD Day movie (Fri morning) to a self-defense series (Sat + Sun)—giving families and adults options that don’t require a long drive or a big spend. It’s a great reminder that local libraries here are more than books: they’re winter community hubs.

• 🏴 Robbie Burns Night — Fri, Jan 23, 5:00 p.m., Viking Rentals Centre Event Hall (Okotoks)
A full Scottish-themed evening (dinner, celebration, dancing) and one of the biggest “dress up and get out” nights of the month.

• 🎭 Dewdney Players: The Great Gatsby (Radio Play) — Fri, Jan 23, Old Church Theatre (Okotoks)
A classic story in a fun format—perfect if you want theatre without the “serious theatre” vibe.

• 🤼 CanAm Wrestling: “Vengeful Beginnings” — Fri, Jan 23, 6:00–10:00 p.m., Okotoks Elks Club (Okotoks)
Family-friendly live wrestling energy—big crowd reactions, fast pace, and a very different kind of Friday night.

• 🧒 Messy Play for 1’s & 2’s — Fri, Jan 23, 10:00–11:00 a.m., Greater Foothills Family Centre (High River)
A sensory-style program built for little ones (and for caregivers who want a friendly morning out). Registration required.

• 🎬 PD Day Movie: Elio — Fri, Jan 23, 10:30 a.m., Sheep River Library (Diamond Valley)
A simple, parent-approved win for a PD Day morning.

• 🏒 High River Flyers vs Coaldale Copperheads — Fri, Jan 23, 8:30 p.m., Bob Snodgrass Recreation Complex (High River)
A late puck drop for local Junior B hockey fans—good “winter Friday night” atmosphere.

• 🎸 On the Edge Concert Series: The Woodshed — Sat, Jan 24, 2:00 p.m., Red Deer Lake United Church (Foothills area)
If you want a matinee concert with real depth, this is a strong pick: harmonies, storytelling, and a relaxed afternoon vibe.

• 🧵 Sew It! Book Sleeve Edition — Sat, Jan 24, 1:30–2:30 p.m., Okotoks Public Library (Okotoks)
A practical, beginner-friendly sewing series—make something useful and learn skills you’ll reuse.

• 🪟 Stained Glass Pictures — Sat, Jan 24, 2:30–4:30 p.m., Okotoks Public Library (Okotoks)
A creative kids/family program that’s bright, easy, and winter-proof.

• 👗 Bridgerton Collaboration at The Duchess on Elma — Sat, Jan 24, 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., The Duchess on Elma (Okotoks)
A themed pop-up style day for shoppers and fans of Regency-inspired fun.

• 🥋 Self-Defense Workshop (Session 1) — Sat, Jan 24, 2:00–4:00 p.m., Sheep River Library (Diamond Valley)
A practical, confidence-building workshop with a clear “learn something useful” payoff.

• 🥋 Self-Defense Workshop (Session 2) — Sun, Jan 25, 2:00–4:00 p.m., Sheep River Library (Diamond Valley)
A follow-up session that keeps momentum going—great if you want a structured learning experience on a Sunday.

Friday looks mostly cloudy and very cold (around -10°C, low near -13°C). Saturday brings morning flurries and a chance of 1–3 cm, then some brighter breaks (around -8°C, low near -17°C). Sunday warms noticeably to about 0°C before clouding over later in the day.

Okotoks’ 2026 town update recap and what it signals for the year ahead.
OkotoksOnline has a recap of the Mayor’s 2026 town update (held Jan 15, 2026) touching on finances and priorities—worth scanning if you like to track what’s coming before it becomes a headline.

A very busy Seniors Club in Okotoks.
OkotoksOnline also reported a significant jump in membership at the Okotoks & District Seniors Club—another sign that local community spaces are in high demand this winter.

👉 Thanks for reading Foothills Scoop!
That’s your weekend runway. If you head to a show, a workshop, or a game, forward this edition to a friend and bring them along—winter weekends are better when the plan is shared.