Looking for Family Activities in Alberta? Check out This Guide!

The Second Chance Trail Ride in Alberta

The Second Chance Trail Ride is an annual event that provides riders with an opportunity to take in Alberta’s stunning landscape while also raising money and awareness for Organ and Tissue Donation. Money earned from the event supports individuals who are waiting for organ transplants. The event’s organizers hope that the trail ride encourages everyone to become organ donors.

The event explores the Iron Horse trail. It starts in Lindbergh and ends in Heinsburg.

Don’t have a horse? Don’t assume that the lack of an equine partner prohibits you from taking part in the 2nd Chance Trail Ride. Horse-drawn wagons will be available to take passengers.

The fun doesn’t stop when you reach the end of the trail. Post-ride activities include:

• A catered meal
• Inspirational speakers who will educate participants about organ donation
• Music and dancing
• Silent Auction

This year, the 2nd Chance Trail Ride takes place on Sat, 11 May 2019 and runs from 4:30 PM to 11:30 PM MDT.

Haying in the ’30s

Haying in the ’30s is another fantastic family activity in Alberta that also supports a great cause.  Proceeds raised during this truly unique event go to the Cancer Support Society. The event provides your entire family with an opportunity to see how farmers handled routine chores, including how to make hay, 90 years ago. It’s amazing how much things have changed!

The Haying in the 30’s opening ceremony includes a wonderful parade that features multiple homey floats. Additional activities that take place during the weekend-long event include:

• An Interfaith Service
• An old-fashioned hoe down
• Multiple farming demonstrations
• Blacksmith demonstration
• Moose calling
• Kids games
• Adult chore games
• And more!

 The Iron Horse Ultra

Not only is the Iron Horse Ultra one of the last local races of the running season, but is also one of the prettiest. The race makes excellent use of the Iron Horse Trail. The Iron Horse Ultra isn’t for the faint of heart. You have the option to run 100 km and 100-mile races. If you chose you can run the entire race by yourself, or you can join a team, which each team member running one leg of the race.

The Iron Horse Ultra is scheduled to start on October 4 and run through 6 2019. Runners must register by August 15, 2019 if they want to receive all the great race swag.

Smoky Lake Pumpkin Fair

If you haven’t attended any of the previous Smoky Lake Pumpkin Fairs, you have no idea what you’ve been missing out on. This year, you should definitely plan on attending this fun-filled family activity in Alberta. You’ll be glad you did.

The annual event attracts pumpkin growers from all over Alberta. There have been years when pumpkin producers have driven more than 1000 kilometres so they could enter their biggest and best pumpkins in the competition. The sight of all those massive pumpkins all in one place is breathtaking and memorable.

While pumpkins are obviously the heart of the Smoky Lake Pumpkin Fair, there are other things you and your family will enjoy, including:

• Mini-midway
• Petting Zoo
• Bakery
• Iron Cruisers Show & Shine

The Smoky Lake Pumpkin Fair takes place on the first Saturday of October. While it’s an all-day event, participants and guests should note that the official weigh-in starts promptly at noon. It’s something you won’t want to miss. Not only will you have fun watching them weight the massive pumpkins, gourds, and squashes, you’ll quickly find yourself trying to guess which each one weighs before the official announcement.

Follow Alberta’s Iron Horse Trail for more information about upcoming, family activities in Alberta!