👋 Hello Neighbours!
May long weekend is almost here — and the Foothills is absolutely bursting with things to do. From a once-in-a-generation anniversary celebration in Nanton to Corb Lund riding into Longview on horseback, a beloved parade rolling through High River, and filmmakers racing the clock in Okotoks, this weekend is one for the books. Whether you're hunting for treasure at a garage sale, cheering on young rodeo riders, flying kites at Granary Road, or settling in for a spectacular evening of live theatre, we've got something for every corner of the Foothills. Read on!
✨ In Today's Edition:
✈️ Bomber Command Museum turns 40 with a full day of historic celebrations in Nanton
🤠 High River's beloved Little Britches Parade returns for its 68th year
🐴 Corb Lund arrives on horseback in Longview and High River for the Ride for Water Not Coal
🎭 Dewdney Players bring Steel Magnolias to Okotoks' Old Church Theatre
🎬 Filmmakers race the clock in Okotoks' 48-Hour Challenge
📰 News from the Foothills
100 Women Who Care Foothills Gives $10,000 to Habitat for Humanity The Foothills' own collective-giving powerhouse is at it again. At their most recent Charity Selection Event in March, 100 Women Who Care Foothills voted to direct a $10,000 lump-sum donation to Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta's Foothills Chapter — unrestricted funds that go straight to building affordable homes for families right here in the region. It's the kind of community generosity that makes the Foothills special. The group will hold their next charity selection evening on Thursday, June 11 at the Turner Valley Golf Club in Diamond Valley (doors at 5:30 PM, meeting at 7:00 PM). Guests are welcome — tickets are free but registration is required at 100WomenFoothills.ca.
🌟 Community Spotlight
40 Years of History Taking Flight — Bomber Command Museum's Big Anniversary (May 16, Nanton) On Saturday, May 16, the Bomber Command Museum of Canada in Nanton marks the 40th anniversary of the Nanton Lancaster Society — the small group of dedicated volunteers who, four decades ago, rescued a rare Lancaster bomber from the elements and built one of Canada's most extraordinary aviation museums around it. What started with a Lancaster sitting on a pedestal has grown into a world-class collection honouring all those who served in Bomber Command during WWII and the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan.
The anniversary celebration runs 10:00 AM to 9:30 PM — a rare extended evening. Highlights include a Rear Gun Turret Demonstration at 12:30 PM, a special 40th Anniversary Video Presentation at 1:00 PM, anniversary cake cutting at 2:00 PM, and a BCATP Aircraft Engine Runup in the afternoon. The museum is open Thursday through Monday, 10 AM to 4 PM (extended to 9:30 PM for this event), located at 1729 – 21st Avenue, Nanton. Admission applies. This is an event that connects us to something rare and irreplaceable — don't let it pass you by.
📅 Events
🗓️ Friday, May 15
🎬 Okotoks Film Festival 48-Hour Challenge Kickoff — 6:00 PM, Okotoks. Teams receive their genre, prop, and line of dialogue — then they have 48 hours to write, shoot, and edit a short film. Open to all skill levels.
🎭 Dewdney Players: Steel Magnolias — 7:30 PM (doors 7:00 PM), Old Church Theatre, Okotoks. The beloved Okotoks theatre troupe brings Robert Harling's classic Southern comedy-drama to life — six unforgettable women, one beauty salon, and more wit and heart than you can handle. Tickets $25 general / $20 senior (advance); $30/$25 at the door.
🥎 NSA Canada May Long Weekend Slo-Pitch Tournament — Begins May 15, Okotoks On Deck Recreation Park, 370 Ave E, Aldersyde. Runs through Monday, May 18. Competitive adult slo-pitch over the long weekend.
🗓️ Saturday, May 16
🤠 68th Annual High River Little Britches Parade — 10:00 AM, Downtown High River, Centre Street. Sixty-plus floats, bands, horses, and the full western spirit of High River. Theme this year salutes the film industry. Free to watch — just grab a spot on Centre Street before 10 AM.
🐂 Little Britches Rodeo — May 15–16, HRAS Rodeo Grounds, High River. Young cowboys and cowgirls under 16 compete in barrel racing, pole bending, team roping, steer riding, and goat tying.
🛍️ 2026 High River Spring Market — 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Highwood Centre, High River. $5 admission. A great companion to the parade — browse local artisans, Foothills honey, iron and woodwork right in the heart of town.
🏷️ 24th Annual Parade of Garage Sales — 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Okotoks and area. Nearly 100 garage sales across town and beyond, co-sponsored by the Western Wheel and CIR Realty. Maps available through the Western Wheel.
🪁 Granary Road Kite Festival — 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Granary Road, Foothills County (10 min south of Calgary). The Foothills family park kicks off the Victoria Day weekend with kite building, flying lessons, kite shows, and a dedicated flying area — plus all the regular fun of the 36-acre Active Learning Park (farm animals, mini golf, zip lines). Day pass $24.75.
✈️ Bomber Command Museum 40th Anniversary — 10:00 AM – 9:30 PM, Nanton (1729 – 21st Ave). See Community Spotlight above for full schedule. Rare extended evening hours for this milestone event.
🐴 Ride for Water Not Coal — Longview Stop — ~3:00 PM, Twin Cities Saloon, Longview. Corb Lund and a dozen Foothills-area ranchers are riding horseback from the southern reaches of the county into Longview to raise awareness for the Eastern Slopes water-protection petition. The ride stops at the Twin Cities Saloon for speeches and live performances — Lund will say a few words and play a few songs, joined by Ryan Fritz, Sarah Masterman, Tin and the Toad, and special guest George Canyon.
🎭 Dewdney Players: Steel Magnolias — Evening Show — 7:30 PM (doors 7:00 PM), Old Church Theatre, Okotoks. A second chance to catch this gorgeous production.
🎭 Dewdney Players: Steel Magnolias — Matinee — 2:00 PM (doors 1:30 PM), Old Church Theatre, Okotoks. Afternoon showing for those who prefer a matinee.
🎵 Matt Blais in The Listening Room — 8:00 PM, Tribal Connection Market, Okotoks. Matt Blais is the kind of songwriter who pulls you in from the first line — known for deeply personal lyrics, a warm baritone, and the ability to hold a room in absolute silence.
🗓️ Sunday, May 17
🎵 Live Music with Daylin Jorgensen — 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM, The Venue (5 Ave SW), High River. Live entertainment runs alongside the post-parade festivities in downtown High River.
🎸 Battle of the Bands (weather permitting) — 12:00 PM (noon), George Lane Park, High River. An outdoor Battle of the Bands is on the program for Parade Day — fingers crossed for good weather.
🪁 Granary Road Kite Festival — Day 2 — 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Granary Road, Foothills County.
🎬 Okotoks Film Festival 48-Hour Challenge Deadline — Teams submit their completed short films by Sunday evening. The screening and awards take place June 13, 2026.
🥎 NSA Canada Slo-Pitch Tournament continues — Okotoks On Deck, Aldersyde. Day 3 of the May long weekend tournament.
🗓️ Monday, May 18 — Victoria Day
🥎 NSA Canada Slo-Pitch Tournament Final Day — Okotoks On Deck Recreation Park, Aldersyde. Championship rounds.
🗓️ Thursday, May 21
🎭 Dewdney Players: Steel Magnolias — 7:30 PM (doors 7:00 PM), Old Church Theatre, Okotoks. The run continues into the following week — one of the last chances to catch it before it closes May 23.
☀️ Weather (Foothills Snapshot)
May long weekend in the Foothills can bring anything from T-shirt weather to a late-season snowflake. Seasonal norms for mid-May: highs around 15–18°C, lows near 2–5°C. Check Environment Canada (weather.gc.ca) for the up-to-date Okotoks and High River forecasts before heading out.
💬 What Locals Are Talking About
🐴 Corb Lund riding into Longview — The Ride for Water Not Coal has been building momentum across Alberta since February, and bringing it home to the Foothills for Victoria Day long weekend — on horseback, with live music at the Twin Cities Saloon — is the kind of thing that feels tailor-made for this community.
🎬 Okotoks 48-Hour Film Challenge — The buzz online is real; this annual Victoria Day weekend filmmaking sprint has developed a passionate local following. Teams across the region are already strategizing.
🤠 Little Britches at 68 — High River's beloved parade has been making memories for generations. This year's film-industry theme has people curious what floats will show up.
✈️ Bomber Command at 40 — Aviation history buffs and curious families alike are noting that this anniversary is a milestone worth the drive to Nanton.
👉 That's your May long weekend, neighbours!
Pack the sunscreen (and maybe a toque, just in case) and get out there — the Foothills has outdone itself this week. Have an event we missed? Reply to this email at [email protected] — we love hearing from you, and the best tip might end up in next week's edition. Happy Victoria Day!