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 tmurphy@greatwest.ca.
Seniors of Okotoks are invited for lunch (suggested $5 donation) on Thursday, Nov. 9 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Okotoks Alliance Church. There will be a presentation by the RCMP on fraud and scam prevention. okalliance.ca
Movie Night for Adults will be held at the Okotoks Public Library on Thursday, Nov. 9 from 6 to 8 p.m. with a screening of Polite Society. The library hosts the free event on the second Thursday of each month. okotokslibrary.ca
The Town of Okotoks will honour Louis Riel Day with a Métis Blessing at the Rotary Performing Arts Centre on Thursday, Nov. 16 at 9:30 a.m. The Métis Blessing will be led by Métis Knowledge Keeper and Elder, Ila Vivier, and will include a Métis Jigging demonstration. okotoks.ca
Drop into the Okotoks Public Library on Friday school PD days for free family-friendly films. The next PD Day Movie will be on Friday, Nov. 17 at 2 p.m. for a screening of Little Mermaid (2023). okotokslibrary.ca
Light Up Okotoks is back for its 31st year on Friday, Nov. 17 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Since 1992, Light Up Okotoks has been the kick-off celebration to the holiday season and the annual lighting of the community Christmas tree. There will be festivities throughout the downtown core, including wagon rides, fire pits, choir performances, late night shopping, artisan market and a visit from Santa. A fireworks display rounds out the evening. okotoks.ca
Friends of the Okotoks Library Book Sale will be held at the library on Friday, Nov. 17 (10 a.m. to 9 p.m.), Saturday, Nov. 18 (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and Sunday, Nov. 19 (2 to 4 p.m.). All proceeds support the library. okotokslibrary.ca
The Okotoks Museum and Archives will present An Old-Fashioned Christmas exhibit from Nov. 17 to Dec. 22. Rooms will be filled with the sights, sounds and memories of a heritage Christmas. okotoks.ca
The Okotoks Public Library’s Christmas Colouring Contest 2023 opens on Friday, Nov. 17 for ages one to 12. Drop in to pick up a colouring page or print a copy from the library’s website. All finished creations must be submitted by Monday, Dec. 11. okotokslibrary.ca
The Spirit of Christmas returns to the Okotoks Art Gallery to offer holiday gift shopping, all crafted by local artisans, from Nov. 17 to Dec. 23. The Spirit of Christmas showcases one-of-a-kind holiday ornaments, jewelry, cards and original artwork. Everything is priced under $250. okotoks.ca
Rhythms for Rowan House will be held on Saturday, Nov. 18 from 6 to 11 p.m. at the Best Western Plus Okotoks Inn & Suites. The evening includes entertainment with local artists Joey Jedzeck, Reg Gothard, the Relics, Sheep River Bandits, plus Brettyn Rose and Chase Morgan. Tickets are $40 each and include admission, appetizers, silent auction and entry into door prize draws. rowanhouse.ca
Beneath The Arch presents Tom Phillips and The DT's on Saturday, Nov. 18 at 7:30 p.m. at the Flare n’ Derrick in Diamond Valley. The iconic Calgary singer/songwriter and honky-tonk hero will perform with his new band featuring sisters Shay and Sydney Zadravec. beneaththearch.ca/concerts
The McDades will bring their Celtic-rooted music to the Rotary Performing Arts Centre for a concert on Monday, Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. Siblings Shannon, Solon and Jeremiah have won a Juno Award and two Canadian Folk Music Awards. Tickets are $40 in advance, $50 at the door. okotoks.ca
The Town of Okotoks is hosting Homemade Probiotics, a Green Living workshop, on Wednesday, Nov. 22 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Environmental Education Centre. Discover the art of crafting homemade yogurt with Kirsti and Katie from Connections Nature School. Attend in person or online. okotoks.ca
The 2023 Annual Ladies Auxiliary Christmas Market will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 25 at the Turner Valley Legion. The market will feature local artisans, home-based businesses, bucket raffles and a 50/50 draw. turnervalleylegion.ca
Light Up Diamond Valley will be held on Saturday, Dec. 2 from 5 to 9 p.m. Cruise down Government Road and Centre Avenue, where local businesses will be illuminating the night with treats and surprises, hop aboard a horse-drawn wagon and pay a visit to Santa. diamondvalley.town
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
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
The Games We Play – A History of Sport in Okotoks will be on view at the Okotoks Museum until Dec. 22. Opened to coincide with the 2023 Alberta Summer Games co-hosted by Okotoks and Diamond Valley, the exhibit details how sports have always played an integral part in the town’s history. okotoks.ca
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.
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. okwriters22@gmail.com
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.
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. Richard.Bradley@shaw.ca
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
