Calgary 
Events Description
It’s no secret to the people who call the West home that it is truly a special place. WOW Fest events, which are held within Calgary and points west of the city, offer up a truly remarkable set of inclusive experiences of adventure and learning, sport, music, art, history, culinary, craft, in which participants can expect a healthy bit of Wild West tossed in. The event typically runs in early June and this year was ready to roll with 24 events, a makers and artisans market to be held at Fort Calgary, and the third edition of the Pure West Art & Artifact Auction, all of which was of course, cancelled when the pandemic hit.
Organizers have handpicked seven events for this edition of the Fest – all with social distancing and COVID-19 protocols in place. Each has a distinct element of exclusivity – meaning you won’t find this experience just anytime, or anywhere. Examples include:
• Learn the art of fly fishing from Alberta’s best fishers, followed by trout delicacies prepared by the Deane House restaurant.
• Sketch in the Charlie Russell way at a privately owned, once dude ranch to WWII pilots, tucked away in the foothills.
• Explore modern West architecture with a day at Carriag Ridge northwest of Cochrane, winner of Best Cabin of 2017 award.
• Major sponsor Eau Claire Distillery will once again host an exclusive event at their quintessential West distillery in Turner Valley.
• Seeped in spirituality and culture, a First Nations artisan lead will lead a medicine pouch workshop.
• Take a ride on the wild side, with a ride up to historic John Ware’s ridge followed by an exceptional gourmet lunch.
• Join a debate and bring your opinion and support to a panel discussion on the open pit coal mining projects proposed for the foothills, with Käthe Lemon, editor of Avenue Magazine (Calgary), as moderator, followed by a dinner at the Deane House.
As always, WOW Fest acknowledges and embraces local producers and food purveyors with tastes of the West, such as the award-winning Alberta Whisky Cake at their events.
Due to COVID-19, organizers are presenting a special online version of the third annual Pure West Art & Artifact Auction, with a juried selection of western art and artifacts and a portion of the proceeds benefitting the Stardale Charities, a group that works with First Nations girls.
Who is it for?
all-ages
HOW MUCH
Tickets : Varies with events
How to get tickets?
Buy Online
WHEN & WHERE
Rocky Mountain Ride & Brunch
Riders who brunch. Glamour meets horseback riding in this specialized adventure into Kananaskis Country. | Sept. 19 – 9:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. @ Millarville
Medicine Pouch Workshop
A medicine bag holds healing and love. Learn to sew and bead your own from moose hide. | Sept. 19 – 1:00-3:00 p.m. @ Inglewood Community Association, Calgary
Speakeasy & Spirits
A Wild West glamorous afternoon in the foothills, with a speakeasy adventure and a guided mixology class featuring local ingredients. | Sept. 19 – 4:00-6:00 p.m. @ Eau Claire Distillery, Turner Valley
A Fly Fishing Sampler
Fish tales first, taste later in this day of immersion in the art of fly fishing and trout delicacies served up by the Deane House. | Sept. 20 – 12:30-5:00 p.m. @ The Deane House & Bow River, Calgary
House of the West
A tour like no other, featuring a private underground museum and an environmentally conscious housing development in the Alberta foothills. | Sept. 20 – 11:00 a.m. & Noon @ Ghost Lake, Alberta
Charlie Russell Sessions
Spend the day sketching in the style of the original cowboy artist at this private historic venue tucked away in the foothills. | Sept. 20 – 1:30-5:00 p.m. @ Trail’s End Beef – Summer House, Porcupine Hills
Debate & Dinner at the Deane
Discover what the Alberta government’s policy shift may mean for the economy and wildlife grounds at this important debate. | Sept. 20 – 5:00-6:30 p.m. debate, followed by dinner @ Deane House, Calgary
