September is always a busy month in Edson, full of great events for all ages! From carnivals and expos to live music performances, rodeos and more, keep reading for 10 events coming up in Edson this month that you will want to mark on your calendar.
1. Celebrate Wop May Day
Our annual Wop May Day celebration is back for another year!
Join us and the Town of Edson on September 2 for a great day of old-timey fun, complete with traditional carnival games, delicious food trucks, the popular pie-eating contest, a local artisan market, live music, picnic games and much more!
Wilfrid Reid ‘Wop’ May was a decorated WWI pilot who was credited with many incredible feats. He was involved in the Red Baron’s last dogfight, saved a remote northern Albertan community from the 1920 diphtheria outbreak and was essential in the capture of the Mad Trapper of Rat River. But that’s not all - Wop was also part of the first recorded aerial police chase in Canadian history in which he landed right here in Edson!
This annual event is celebrated in honour of Wop May and his accomplishments and is dedicated in memory of his son, Denny May, who was essential in carrying on Wop’s legacy.
It is sure to be a great day with lots of fun for the whole family!
2. Watch Cars Smash at the Edson Demolition Derby & Mud Bogs
Mud, trucks, crashes – oh my! The Edson Hillbilly Demolition Derby & Mud Bogs is a great event for the whole family, featuring high horsepower mud bogger races, the classic demolition derby and tons of muddy fun!
Taking place on the September long weekend, watch cars and trucks get air on the Tuff Truck track, hear the engines rumble and listen to the metal crumble as cars smash into one another.
Limited camping is available onsite on a first come, first serve basis.
Bring your friends or family out to cheer on your favourite driver and have some fun!
3. Connect with Like-minded Adventurers at the Alberta Outdoor Adventure Expo
The Alberta Outdoor Adventure Expo is coming to the Medicine Lodge Rodeo Grounds from September 2-4 to share their love for the outdoors and adventure with the community!
This two-day event will feature a variety of exciting activities, including bushcraft, product and gear demonstrations, giveaways, evening movies, a DJ, beer gardens and courses in safety, vehicle recovery, cooking and travel! There will be food trucks on site as well as children’s entertainment to keep your little ones busy.
Listen to guest speakers share their experience and knowledge with the outdoors, browse some of Canada’s industry-leading outdoor vendors and mingle with likeminded adventurers!
Are you interested in trying out an outdoor activity but don’t have the funds to purchase the expensive equipment? With your ticket admission you will be able to try a variety of outdoor activities, from paddleboarding to fishing and more!
Weekend passes are available for $50, which also includes on-site camping and the opportunity to enter your name into the giveaways. Day passes are also available for $20 and will grant you access to the vendors and activities planned throughout the day.
4. Eddie's Big Run
Explore Edson’s wonderful trail system during the Town of Edson’s 14th annual Eddie’s Big Run on September 9!
Although the event typically takes place in June, it was cancelled due to the summer’s wildfire evacuations – but now it is back better than ever!
With a Kid’s Fun Run (1km), 3km, 5km and 10 km trails, this event is perfect for all ages and skill levels.
Not a fan of running? No problem! All the routes can be ran or walked, but there will be prizes for the top three male/female finishers in each race category.
Although the route primarily follows Edson’s trail system, which includes paved and unpaved trails, there will also be some road running as well.
This year the Town of Edson is encouraging participants to wear bright neon colours to add some colourful fun to the race.
Racers are invited to join the Town for a complimentary breakfast at the Leisure Cente on the morning of the race. Families and spectators are also welcome to partake in the breakfast with a donation to the trail system.
Limited space is available, so be sure to sign up for Eddie’s Big Run at Activenet as soon as possible!
5. Attend a Fall Rodeo
The Medicine Lodge Fall Roundup is back on September 9 after a two-year hiatus to bring rodeo to our very own backyard!
This 1-day CPRA sanctioned event will feature the best cowboys, cowgirls and rodeo stock that Canada has to offer. Featuring classic rodeo events such as saddle bronc, bareback, bull riding, tie down roping, ladies barrel racing and more, this event will not be one to miss! Be sure to check out the incredible new mural painted by local artist Maddy Sharman on your way in!
On September 16 and 17, the Yellowhead Ag Society will be hosting a Ranch Rodeo in which cowboys and cowgirls from different ranches will be competing against each other in a variety of exciting rodeo events! There will also be opportunities for both youth and children to compete.
The event will also feature a Fundraiser Dance in support of Haying in the 30’s Cancer Support Group with live music courtesy of Canadian Country artist Tiffany Dowhan.
6. Discover Local Art at the Downtown Art & Music Walk
Head downtown on September 14th for the Town of Edson and Edson FCSS’s annual Art and Music Walk in celebration of Alberta Culture Days!
With art demos, live music, an art walk, shopping, live music, a DIY clay craft and more, this event is great for supporting our local artists and inspiring you to explore your own creativity!
This free community event will also feature a delicious Community Pig Roast courtesy of FCSS. There will also be bouncy castles, balloon twisting and roving performers on site, making this the perfect event for the whole family.
7. Sample Cultural Foods at the Community Sharing Table
Calling all foodies! Share or sample some wonderfully diverse foods at the Community Sharing Table on September 16 at the Galloway Station Museum!
The Edson & District Historical Society, in partnership with the Town of Edson, will be hosting a multi-cultural lunch as part of Alberta Culture Days.
Edson is a vibrant, multi-cultural community, and our goal with this event is to celebrate the richness of our diversity through the universal language of food.
We have invited community members to prepare a family-favourite recipe that relates to their culture to share with the community in this potluck-style event.
This is a great opportunity to share, discover and learn about each other’s cultural heritage while supporting the Edson & District Historical Society.
8. Experience Live Music at the Edson Legion
Music lovers rejoice - the Edson Royal Canadian Legion #51 will be the site of multiple live music performances this month!
Any Alan Jackson fans? Well, you’re in luck – Aaron Halliday, a 25+ year Alan Jackson lookalike and tribute artist, will be performing a tribute to Alan Jackson & Friends on September 16. Based out of Kelowna, Halliday is a country singer/songwriter with 20 years of experience behind him. He was the recipient of the 2021 International Singer/Songwriters Association Award for Entertainer of the Year and was encouraged by none other than Canadian legend Stompin’ Tom Connors to transition from busking to stage performing. It is sure to be a rootin’-tootin’ time with a dance and delicious dinner to follow.
Back by popular demand, the Edmonton Schoolboys Alumni Band with conductor Graeme Peppink will be sharing their incredible talent with the community on September 21. The band, which consists of primarily mature musicians, always put on a great show and disproves the myth that only the young can be talented musicians.
On September 23, the Edson Seniors Transportation Society will be hosting a fall fundraiser featuring live music from the Plaiders, an Olds-based band specializing in classic country, rock and hippy songs. Stay for a delicious dinner with your choice of roast beef or fried chicken, complete with all the trimmings and a delicious dessert.
9. Learn About Wine Pairings at Wine Night Out
Do you enjoy having a glass of wine with your dinner but have a difficult time choosing which type to pair it with?
Learn about wine and food pairings from expert sommelier Doug Woodhouse during the Town of Edson’s Wine Night Out on September 22 at the Galloway Station Museum.
From this event you will learn how create your very own pairings and will know what ingredients to look for in a recipe so you can make a great wine match.
10. Commemorate Truth and Reconciliation Day
Join the Friendship Centre on September 30 for National Truth and Reconciliation Day, which honors residential school survivors, their families and those who never returned home.
The Friendship Centre will be hosting a variety of Indigenous-inspired activities in RCMP Centennial Park in an effort to share their culture with the community. Craft you own mini drum and dreamcatcher, participate in traditional Indigenous games, create unique fish scale art, try authentic bannock and end the night with some great storytelling around the fire.
Be sure to watch out for orange cards that will be placed throughout the park for Indigenous learning and the chance to win prizes!
Which events will you attend this September?
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