The events I attended this weekend provided the full western experience.

(A Family Team Competing in the Father's Day Cowboy Stew Cookoff At Bar U Ranch)

From cowboy poetry to cowboy stew, I was completely immersed in the western heritage that makes up Alberta.

On Friday June 17th I was invited to the Willow Creek Cowboy Gathering.

This event was held at the Stavely Arena and included multiple aspects of western entertainment.

I had the pleasure of meeting “Dusty Trail” a cowboy comedian that came all the way from Hamilton, Montana.

This man and plenty of other entertainers kept the audience engaged throughout the day.  

The Cowboy Gathering Committee did a spectacular job at organizing this event and provided visitors with camping onsite.

Following the events on Friday I was out in Okotoks early Saturday morning to take part in their parade.

The Town of Okotoks was out in the masses to sit on the sidewalks of Elizabeth Street in order to get a glimpse at all of the colorfully decorated floats.

Community support was very obvious with local businesses providing seating to citizens along the route.  

However, the true highlight of my Saturday was when I attended the Family Fun Day at the Call of the West Museum located at the High River Ag Society Rodeo Grounds.  

This event included a schedule filled with vintage tractor pulls, lawnmower demos, Model-T Fords racing on the half mile, and a car show.

The Call of the West museum is run by enthusiastic volunteers who have also donated their personal collections to the museum for visitors viewing pleasures.

The collections include agricultural equipment used from the early 1900’s and beyond to oil and gas signs, toys, and coca-cola memorabilia.

Therefore, if you’re a car guy, collector, or have an open Saturday I encourage you to go see the hard work and passion these volunteers have put into this great High River museum.

Finally, I finished my weekend off with celebrating Father’s Day at the Bar U Ranch.

This Ranch is a National Historic Site of Canada that is located on Highway 540 and is just 30 minutes south of High River.  

There, I was greeted by Parks Canada employees that are all very knowledgeable about the history of ranching in Alberta.

Additionally, the employees located throughout the ranch are dressed in early 1900’s attire and are very helpful at creating a setting based on the old days of ranching in Western Canada.

Throughout the day I sat by the campfire, drank cowboy coffee, ate Cowboy Stew made right on the fire, learned how to pack a horse properly, and listened to Cowboy Poetry.  

There is so much to discover and learn at the Bar U Ranch making it a great day trip with the family and the kids!