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].
The Okotoks Public Library is running a Design your own Comic Contest. Pick up a comic template at the library, create your own comic and return it by May 22. The contest is open to ages six to 17. okotokslibrary.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: Every Day is Earth Day in Okotoks (May 10) and Active Adventures in Okotoks (May 17). okotoks.ca
Weekly Jam Sessions at the Okotoks and District Seniors Club are held on Fridays from 7 to 9 p.m. Musicians and singers are welcome as well as those that want to listen, sing along or dance to the tunes. Entrance fee is $2. There will be no session on May 24.
Lucky Sonne (Luke Colborne Band) will perform in the On the Edge concert series on Friday, May 10 at 7:30 p.m. at Red Deer Lake United Church. The band’s folk rock, alt-country and Americana sound has been influenced by the Beatles, Beach Boys, Byrds, Bob Dylan and Neil Young. Tickets are $30 for adults, $15 for youth. reddeerlakeuc.com/concerts
Okotoks Community Clean Up & Tree Planting will take place on Saturday, May 11 from 9 a.m. to noon. Come to the Sheep River Park picnic shelter to register and get your clean-up supplies, then start cleaning up in the area of your choice. You can also pre-register. Volunteer barbecue to follow. okotoks.ca
An Emergency Preparedness Week Open House will be held on Saturday, May 11 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Okotoks Recreation Centre. Visit with local emergency responders and organizations as they teach the community how to prepare for an emergency event. okotoks.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. The Okotoks Legion continues Chase the Ace draws on the second Tuesday of each month (next one on May 14) at 9 p.m. Doors for the draw will open at 8 p.m.
The second annual Mother's Gay Picnic will be held on Sunday, May 12 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Old Towne Plaza. Activities include music, performances, bubbles and a storytime with Okotoks' own drag king, Shane Onyou. okotoks.ca
The 2024 season of Picnic at the Piano launches at the Okotoks Art Gallery with Foothills Philharmonic Vocal Jazz on Wednesday, May 15 from noon to 1 p.m. Bring a picnic lunch and a blanket and enjoy a free, outdoor, family-friendly concert. okotoks.ca
The Art of Composting: A Green Living Workshop will be held on Wednesday, May 15 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Environmental Education Centre. Mike Dorion will reveal the secrets to transforming your kitchen scraps and yard waste into nutrient-rich soil for your garden through composting. This is a free event but you must register. You can attend in-person or online. okotoks.ca
The 22nd annual Parade of Garage Sales, co-sponsored by the Western Wheel and CIR Realty, takes place on Saturday, May 18 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Basic sign up is $20 and can be done by calling the Western Wheel 403-938-6397 or via email at [email protected]. Deadline to sign up is Friday, May 10 at 4 p.m.
An International Museum Day event will be held at the Okotoks Museum on Saturday, May 18 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Since 1977, museums across the world organize activities to raise awareness about the importance of museums to society. The Okotoks Museum will host a scavenger hunt. okotoks.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, May 21. 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
Age-Friendly Speaker Series: Happiness Basics will be held on Wednesday, May 22 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Okotoks & District Seniors Club. This free, four-week workshop (May 22, 29 and June 12, 19) is designed for people who want to boost their overall happiness and connect with others looking to do the same. Register by calling 403-995-4107. okotoks.ca/age-friendly
The Town of Okotoks is hosting its third annual Public Works Equipment Showcase on Thursday, May 23 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Operations Centre parking lot. The all-ages event is for anyone fascinated with big trucks and equipment. okotoks.ca
Art on the Lawn | Outdoor Art Sale will be held at the Okotoks Art Gallery on Saturday, May 25 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Local artists will be selling their artwork on the front lawn. okotoks.ca
The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, Calgary Centre will present Explore the Moon at the Okotoks Public Library on Saturday, May 25. Learn about Earth’s nearest neighbour and equipment that amateur astronomers use to observe it. Free sessions run from 1 to 2 p.m. and 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. okotokslibrary.ca
Foothills Philharmonic Men’s Chorus and Vocal Jazz present Songs to Lift Your Spirits, with special guests Rex Panelo and Frank Cho, on Saturday, May 25 at 7:30 p.m. at Okotoks Alliance Church. Tickets are available at footphil.com or at the door.
The 34th annual Okotoks Soapbox Derby will be held on the Crystal Ridge Drive hill on Saturday, June 1. Hosted by the Rotary Club of Okotoks, the event will see youngsters ages eight to 14 race down the hill in heats. okotoksrotary.ca
A Tipi Camp and Indigenous Artisan Market will be held at the Okotoks Recreation Centre on Saturday, June 1 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, June 2 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. okotoks.ca
Registration is underway for summer camps at the Sheep River Library. Kananaskis Kids Choir Camp runs July 15-19; Art/Sports Camp runs July 22-26; STEAM Camp runs July 29-Aug. 2. Details available at sheepriverlibrary.ca or by calling 403-933 3278.
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
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 Aug. 31. okotoks.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.
The Okotoks Art Gallery has put out a call for submissions for 2025 exhibits. Interested artists have until May 31 to apply to have their work showcased in either the small or large gallery next year. A jury will make decisions this summer. okotoks.ca/art-gallery
You can record, edit and upload your own podcasts at the Sheep River Library in Diamond Valley in its soundproofed recording space. Equipment and training are provided so you can get your podcasts out into the world. Call 403-933-3278 to book a time or get more information.
Sheep River Library in Diamond Valley offers a wellness drumming program with Christine and Don Wilhelm on the second Friday of each month at 7 p.m. Their drum circles offer a variety of games and rhythms from gentle drum washes, soundscape of wooden flutes and handpan to vigorous beats you can dance to. sheepriverlibrary.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
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
