With the changing of seasons, the start of school and Alberta Culture Days on the horizon, September is a busy month full of wonderful activities for all ages in Edson!
Here are just some of the wonderful things you can do in Edson and area this September:
1. Go Pumpkin Pickin' at Violet Gardens & Greenhouse
No fall activity is as quintessential as pumpkin picking, so find a friend (or go solo) and visit Violet Gardens & Greenhouse while the weather is still warm! Although field picking will be closing as soon as the frost hits, there is still plenty of time to browse their greenhouse for your perfect pumpkin. Whether you’re looking to make the perfect pie, carve a Jack-o-lantern or find the ultimate fall décor piece, Violet’s pumpkins come in all different shapes, sizes and colours! Be sure to visit their gift shop on the way out to shop for adorable fall-inspired items.
2. Enjoy a Live Concert
Enjoy some great live music this fall at Edson’s Royal Canadian Legion! On September 22, the Edmonton Schoolboys Alumni Band, a group of about 60 musicians from Edmonton, will be playing their hearts out as part of Alberta Culture Days. And the best part? The concert is being offered for FREE!
The Edmonton Schoolboys Alumni Band originally started in 1935, but disbanded in 1969 when Edmonton’s Public School Board decided to prioritize music programs in schools throughout the city. However, following a successful concert by alumni during a reunion in 1996, 35 alumni decided to continue as a band and have been performing ever since!
The concert will begin at 7 pm at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 51 in Edson.
3. Go on an Art Walk
Explore the beauty of Edson’s downtown core and the talent of the community during the Town of Edson’s Art & Music Walk on September 15! Recently, the CANOE received a grant to add five new incredible murals to the downtown area, and you will have the chance to view two of them while enjoying a pig roast, shopping local deals, listening to live music, viewing live art demos, creating an air dry clay craft and more! And did we mention that this event is FREE?
4. Visit the Farmer’s Market
Check out locally-made goods at the farmer’s market before fresh farm-to-table produce is no longer available! There are always lots of delicious, freshly-baked goodies like banana bread, pies, carrot cake, cheese bread and tarts to choose from. The Farmer’s Market is open on Fridays from 11-2 pm and is something that should not be missed when visiting Edson!
5. View Incredible Art at the Red Brick Arts Centre
Not only is the Red Brick Arts Centre & Museum a great place to visit to learn about local sports history, but it also has a beautiful gallery that displays local art! This month, the Red Brick is showcasing the work of talented Albertan artist Doug Downey, whose incredible acrylic landscapes will leave you in awe. Be sure to visit the gallery this month to view Doug’s work as it will only be up until September 30!
6. Attend a Local Rodeo
Hold your horses because the rodeo is coming to Edson this September! Dodgebull is taking place across two days on September 23 and 24 and is located just 10 minutes north of Edson. Ranch broncs, freestyle bullfights, bull poker and ring of fear are just some of the exciting events you can expect, and did we mention that there will be beer gardens and food trucks on site?
7. Go for a run
Join Canadians across the country for the 42nd annual Terry Fox Run on September 18 to help raise money and awareness for cancer research. The 5km run is being held in person for the first time since 2019, so don’t miss out on this opportunity to honour Canadian heroTerry Fox and his Marathon of Hope! The race will start and finish at the Edson & District Leisure Centre.
8. Learn the West Coast Swing
Grab a partner and mosey on over to the Edson Legion on September 24 and 25 to learn the West Coast Swing with Troy Reed! No experience? No problem! Dancers of all experiences are welcome to join for this weekend of learning and fun! If you are interested in purchasing tickets, contact Edson Dance Academy at 780-722-3154 or edsondanceacademy@gmail.com.
9. Enjoy an Indigenous Story Walk
A great way to get your kids to enjoy reading AND nature this September is to take them on a Story Walk through Edson’s trail system! Follow the stakes along 53rd Street and 13th Ave to experience the Indigenous children’s book ‘Awasis and the World-Famous Bannock’, which highlights the importance of community and collaboration while introducing Cree words. The Town of Edson is also challenging participants to create the recipe that is on the back page of the book for the chance to win a prize. The story is only up until September 31, so be sure to check it out before the month is over!
10. Unleash Your Child's Inner Artist
Need a way to burn off some energy with your kids? Attend one of Yellowhead County’s nature-inspired craft sessions as part of Culture Days! These sessions are being held throughout the month at each of the County’s playgrounds and include projects like an outdoor nature mural in Marlboro on September 13, leaf spray painting in Niton on September 20, and flower smash art in Robb on September 27.
11. *NEW* Take a Virtual Self-Guided Tour of the Museum
New to the Galloway Station Museum this September is our brand new Virtual Self-Guided Tour, which we will be launching on September 26 as part of Culture Days! The tour dives into greater detail about our exhibits and will give you a fuller and brighter picture of the history of Edson and area. The tour can only be accessed via mobile inside the museum, so be sure to stop by around the end of the month to try it out!
Which activities will you try this September?