The Western Wheel’s Datebook is a listing of upcoming events, activities and meetings taking place throughout the Foothills. If you would like to submit a non-commercial listing to be included in the Datebook, please email [email protected].
Easter Bunny Egg-stravaganza will be held on Friday, March 22 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the Okotoks Recreation Centre. Parents and preschoolers are invited for some free “bunny” entertainment in the gym, along with games, Easter crafts and snacks. okotoks.ca
The Town of Okotoks’ Environmental Education Centre hosts Nature Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. where activities focus on a different theme weekly. Upcoming topics include: World Water Day (March 22) and Pollinator Day (April 5). okotoks.ca
CanAm Wrestling presents Don’t Poke the Bear, an all-ages show, at the Okotoks Elks Hall on Friday, March 22 at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at canamwrestling.ca.
On the Edge concert series presents The Wardens on Friday, March 22 at 7:30 p.m. at Red Deer Lake United Church. The Rocky Mountain-based band’s stories and songs rise from the very land they’ve protected as Canadian national park wardens. reddeerlakeuc.com/concerts
A Teen March Manga Scavenger Hunt will be held at the Okotoks Public Library until March 31. Find iconic manga characters and solve the riddle for a chance to win a Tanjiro Kamado Funko Pop and other cool prizes. okotokslibrary.ca
The Okotoks Legion will hold meat draws (nine) every Saturday at the Elks Hall. Doors open at noon for perogie lunch. Tickets are $1 and run from 1 to 3:30 p.m., followed by the Legion "Chase The Ace" draw at 4 p.m. Tickets are $5.
Have you ever wanted to learn the art of “Pysanky” aka: Ukrainian egg decorating? Dee Larock will lead classes on March 23 and 24 at St. Andrews United Church in DeWinton. Tickets are $30. Email [email protected] for tickets or more information.
A Repair Café will be held at Centennial Arenas in Okotoks on Saturday, March 23 from noon to 4 p.m. Items accepted include electronics, small appliances, small pieces of furniture, toys, clothing, housewares and more. Food bank donations will be accepted. okotoks.ca
Beneath The Arch presents John Reischman and The Jaybirds on Saturday, March 23 at 7:30 p.m. at the Flare n’ Derrick in Diamond Valley. Advance tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for children. beneaththearch.ca
Join Kathy Coutts from the Okotoks Museum and Archives and one of the Town’s conservation educators for a free Earth Hour-related tour of historic downtown Okotoks on Saturday, March 23 from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. Learn the history of Okotoks as well as some of the environmental initiatives underway in town. Meet at the Okotoks Museum and Archives at 49 North Railway St. okotoks.ca
Sheep Creek Arts is having its AGM on Sunday, March 24 at 1 p.m. After the meeting, there will be a show and tell and a digital arts demo. Come and see what classes are being offered this spring. Sheep Creek Arts is located at 133 Sunset Blvd. in Diamond Valley West. sheepcreekarts.ca
The Okotoks Arts Council and the Town of Okotoks host Acoustic Nights twice a month at the Rotary Performing Arts Centre from 7 to 9 p.m. The next session is on Tuesday, March 26. It’s a safe place to learn, play, sing and enjoy. Free event is open to all ages and all levels of performers. okotoks.ca
Exploring the World of Native Bees — A Green Living Workshop will be held on Wednesday, March 27 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Environmental Education Centre. Alexandria Farmer, a professor at Mount Royal University specializing in pollination ecology, will lead the session. Register to attend online or in-person at okotoks.ca.
The third annual Way of the Cross, an interfaith outdoor commemoration of Jesus's final journey, will be held on Good Friday, March 29, at 10:45 a.m. in Diamond Valley. It's a one-kilometre easy walk pausing at 14 stations for reflection and prayer. Walk starts/ends at St. Michael's, 402 Government Rd. Seniors and families are welcome. Dogs welcome on a leash. Contact Jennifer at 403-931-1509.
Rube Goldberg Workshop for Teens & Tweens is being held at the Okotoks Public Library on Friday, April 5 from 2 to 4 p.m. Geared to ages 11 to 17, the free workshop will explore the fun of making simple machines to do all sorts of tasks. okotokslibrary.ca
East Coast swing dance lessons with Steve and Laurie from Dancealot (Ranchmans instructors) will be held on Friday, April 5 at DeWinton Hall. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the lesson begins at 7 p.m. sharp. Open dance floor to follow. Advance tickets are $22 or $27 at the door. Email [email protected] or call 403-938-2525 for tickets or more information.
The Carolines, whose repertoire leaves no doubt about their love of classic country music, will perform at the Rotary Performing Arts Centre on Friday, April 5 at 7 p.m. They’ll sing familiar tunes by Patsy Cline, Buck Owens, Trio, the Dixie Chicks and more. Tickets are $30 in advance, $40 at the door. okotoks.ca
Diamond Valley Sustainable Living Centre is hosting an open house on Saturday, April 6 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Turner Valley Legion. Learn about Valley Makerspace, nature-based childcare, workshops, youth programs and more while the children enjoy a variety of supervised indoor and outdoor activities. dvslc.ca/nature-school
A free workshop — Eyes High: Navigating the Transition from High School to Post-Secondary — will be held on Thursday, April 11 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at The Point in Okotoks (#1-107 Stockton Point). The interactive workshop is designed to help teens and families create a plan of action. peakacademicconsulting.com
The Okotoks & District Chamber of Commerce is hosting the 2024 Okotoks Trade & Lifestyle Show on Saturday, April 13 and Sunday, April 14 at the Okotoks Recreation Centre. Billed as the biggest trade show in the Foothills, it will feature over 150 vendors. okotokschamber.ca
The Highwood Memorial Centre Society’s Giving Gala is on Saturday, April 13 at 5 p.m. An evening featuring dinner, entertainment and a silent auction will support a fundraising goal of purchasing a professional audio and lighting system for the Highwood Centre. highwoodcentre.com
Parent & Tot Yoga in the Gallery will be held on Tuesday, April 16 from 9 to 9:45 a.m. at the Okotoks Art Gallery. The beginner-friendly yoga class is for parents and children under five. Cost is $5. Drop-in or pre-register at okotoks.ca.
Roots and blues singer Suzie Vinnick, a three-time Juno nominee, will be in concert at the Rotary Performing Arts Centre on Thursday, April 18 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $30 in advance, $40 at the door. okotoks.ca
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 291 (Okotoks) is seeking vendors for a craft fair being held on Saturday, April 20 at the Centennial Centre. Table cost is $75, and all fees go to the Legion building fund. Those interested in being a vendor are asked to contact Mandie Barker at [email protected].
Rich in Resources at the Okotoks Museum and Archives looks at the natural resources that have played a pivotal role in shaping the community's history and development. The exhibit will be on view until April 27. okotoks.ca
Okotoks Upper and Lower Schools, an exhibit at the Okotoks Museum and Archives, features memories from staff and students of the two schools. Among the artifacts on display until Aug. 31 are school rings, report cards and autograph albums. okotoks.ca
Bryan Faubert — MaSh-UP X: Where the Big Rock Is and Debbie.Lee Miszaniec: What You Do To My Body (and Mind) are on display at the Okotoks Art Gallery until March 23. okotoks.ca
The Sheep River parkrun, a free weekly five-kilometre run/walk, is held every Saturday at 9 a.m. The loop begins and ends at the picnic shelter in Sheep River Park, and is suitable for all ages and fitness levels. sheepriverparkrun.ca
A Memory Cafe will be held on the first Wednesday of the month from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the Okotoks Seniors Club. It’s an opportunity for people with memory loss and their caregivers to meet for mutual support. Call 403-969-6040 for details.
OM Chanting is held every Saturday at the Okotoks Public Library from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. It is an ancient, dynamic meditation technique which helps us realign with nature and existence. It is free, open to all. No experience required. Bring water to drink and energize. okotokslibrary.ca
Foothills Writers Group (formerly the Indie Author Group Okotoks) meets every third Thursday at the Okotoks Public Library from 6 to 8 p.m. The group is a community of local authors whose goal is to encourage and support writers during their creative journey. The group includes members new to the writing world and published authors. [email protected]
A Memory Cafe will be held on the fourth Friday of the month from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at Griffiths Centre in Diamond Valley. It’s an opportunity for people with memory loss and their caregivers to meet for mutual support. Call 403-969-6040 for details.
The Rotary Club of Okotoks meets on the first and third Wednesdays of every month at 6 p.m. at the Crystal Ridge Golf Club. okotoksrotary.ca
An ELL (English Language Learning) class is held every Thursday from 6:15 to 7:30 p.m. at the Okotoks Public Library. Learn vocabulary that will help you in everyday situations in classes facilitated by YMCA LINC instructor Deb Payne. Classes are free and drop-in. okotokslibrary.ca
The Okotoks Chess Club meets every Wednesday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Okotoks Public Library. The free club aims to improve chess play and maintains a friendly environment where learning takes priority over winning. Chess sets and clocks are available. All ages welcome, drop in. [email protected]
The LEGO Club meets every Wednesday from 3:30 to 4:45 p.m. at the Okotoks Public Library. Kids aged six to 12 can enjoy playing with LEGO and meeting new friends in the free, drop-in activity. okotokslibrary.ca