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Category: Community

  • Okotoks Motorcycle Rally Raises Over $16,000 for Make-A-Wish

    It's clear that the Caltronics Cruisers Motorcycle Rally is "revving up" support for Make-A-Wish.

    The Caltronics Cruisers Motorcycle Rally, which kicked off in Okotoks, has raised over $16,000 for Make-A-Wish Canada. The annual event, sponsored by Prairie Mobile Communications, saw 26 riders travel from Okotoks to Longview along the Highwood Pass before looping back through Kananaskis and into Cochrane.

    Organized by Georges LeBlanc and his wife, Susan, this year marked their 17th year hosting the event. The couple had set a fundraising goal of $10,000, which they exceeded with the final total.

    LeBlanc said the sunshine and warm weather made for a great day, and he enjoys supporting Make-A-Wish each year and bringing more recognition to the foundation. This is the fifth year that they’ve done this particular ride, and it keeps growing every year.

    One of the participants, Dayn Barlow, has been involved in the rally since 2017. He enjoys seeing new and familiar faces each year and getting to know people from all walks of life, including those whose lives have been touched by Make-A-Wish.

    Barlow also appreciates the LeBlancs’ efforts to make a difference in the community. “You get people like George and Susan that invest and support the community in quiet ways,” he said. “It’s really heartwarming.”

  • Okotoks Summer Round Up Crowns Chili Champions

    Looks like the competition was really heating up in Okotoks.

    The Okotoks Summer Round Up, held in downtown Okotoks over the weekend, brought together local chili chefs to compete in the annual Chili Cookoff.

    Residents and visitors were given the opportunity to sample a variety of chili creations and cast their votes for their favorite. Cornerstone’s Bayou Chili took home the Judges’ Choice award.

    In the People’s Choice competition, the Okotoks Junior Elks secured the top spot with 99 votes, narrowly beating French 50 Bakery with 95 votes and Cornerstone’s Bayou Chili with 94 votes. Chili Chungus received an Honorable mention with 78 votes.

    Cornerstone’s Bayou Chili also earned the Most Creative award for serving up five variations of chili.

    The Summer Round Up featured additional activities, including the Cobzilla Challenge, live entertainment, an artisan market, and kids’ activities.

  • Okotoks Museum and Archives Hosts Final Wednesday Walkabout Focusing on Public Art

    It's a brush with history.

    This week, Okotoks residents will have their last chance to participate in the Wednesday Walkabouts, a series of guided walks that have taken place throughout July and August.

    The final walk, scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 26, will focus on the public art found in the downtown core. Led by Kathy Coutts from the Okotoks Museum and Archives, the tour will explore the stories behind the artwork.

    Previous walks have highlighted various aspects of Okotoks history, including historic sites along Elma Street, McRae Street, Elizabeth Street, and North Railway Street.

    The free walk will begin at 10 a.m. at the Okotoks Museum and Archives, located at 49 North Railway Street, and is expected to last between one and 1.5 hours.

    For more information, residents can contact the Okotoks Museum and Archives.

  • Okotoks Summer Round Up Brings Chili, Corn, and Community to Downtown

    It looks like the Okotoks Summer Round Up was the "root" of all the fun in downtown Okotoks.

    The Okotoks Summer Round Up featuring the Chili Cookoff took over downtown Okotoks on Saturday, August 22, bringing a fun-filled day of food, entertainment, and community activities to Elizabeth Street.

    The event featured a variety of local chili competitors, each serving up their unique creations to visitors who voted for their favourite. Some competitors took a non-traditional approach, including Bone & Biscuit’s dog-friendly chili and the Okotoks Elks Club’s candy chili. Another stand, “Chili Chungus,” even leaned into internet culture with a logo inspired by the Big Chungus meme.

    In addition to the chili, the annual Cobzilla Challenge gave competitors a chance to test their speed as they raced to finish corn on the cob as quickly as possible. Separate competitions were held for kids and adults, with the fastest competitors in each age category taking home a prize.

    Live performers took to the stage throughout the afternoon, and more than 50 local and regional artisan vendors filled the east end of the event as part of the Market Zone. The event ran from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with portions of Elizabeth Street and Riverside Drive closed to vehicle traffic.

  • Okotoks RCMP Investigate Backyard Fence Crash Involving Young Driver

    Looks like the young driver's lesson plan included a crash course in fence etiquette.

    A collision involving a small car and a backyard fence is under investigation by the Okotoks RCMP. The incident occurred on August 19 near the intersection of Cimarron Drive and Cimarron Meadows Road.

    According to Staff Sergeant Mike Zinck, Detachment Commander of the Okotoks RCMP, preliminary information suggests that the collision was the result of human error and does not appear to have any criminal element. The driver involved was a youth who was learning to drive.

    The investigation is ongoing, and the incident is being treated as an accident.

  • Okotoks Summer Round Up Brings Chili, Music, and Fun to Downtown

    It's going to be a 'hot' weekend in Okotoks!

    This weekend, downtown Okotoks will transform into a flavour festival as the Summer Round Up featuring the Chili Cookoff takes over Elizabeth Street. The event, happening on Saturday, Aug. 22 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., promises an exciting day of chili tasting, live music, an artisan market, and kids’ activities.

    Visitors can purchase chili passports and food tickets at both ends of the event zone, allowing them to sample a variety of delicious chili creations. After tasting, attendees can vote for their favourite chili beside the main stage in front of Elks Hall.

    For those looking for an extra challenge, the Cobzilla Challenge will see contestants racing to eat three cobs of corn. The fastest in the 13 and under, and 14 and over categories will win a prize.

    Before heading downtown, residents and visitors are advised to plan ahead. Elizabeth Street will be closed to vehicle traffic between Northridge Drive and Veterans Way, and Riverside Drive between Veterans Way and the Okotoks United Church will also be closed to regular vehicle traffic. Drivers should expect traffic pattern changes and detours in the area.

    Residents are encouraged to consider cycling to the event and use the complimentary Bike Valet.

  • Okotoks Show and Shine yields $5,000 donation for Foothills Country Hospice

    It's clear the Big Rock Auto Club is driving support for the community.

    Foothills Country Hospice has received a $5,000 donation from the Big Rock Auto Club, thanks to this year’s Okotoks Show and Shine event.

    The cheque was presented on August 16 during the Okotoks Show and Shine.

    According to Timmi Shorr, Fund Development Officer at Foothills Country Hospice, the organization is thrilled to receive the donation, which will have a meaningful impact on their ability to provide compassionate end-of-life care and support to residents and families in the community.

    The funding will be used to support residents’ care, as well as programs such as Grief Support and Compassionate Communities.

    Foothills Country Hospice has expressed gratitude to the Big Rock Auto Club, event organizers, and attendees of the Show and Shine for their support.

  • Okotoks Council Approves Budget Increase for River’s Edge Project, Eyes Federal Grant Funding

    Looks like Okotoks is on the right track with this budget boost.

    Okotoks council has given the green light to an $800,000 increase in the 2026 capital budget for the River's Edge Infrastructure Improvement project. The project aims to enhance the town’s infrastructure, including the installation of a pedestrian railway grade crossing without active warning devices.

    The budget amendment, approved during the August 17 council meeting, will enable the town to pursue federal grant funding through Transport Canada’s Rail Safety Improvement Program. The grant would cover up to 80% of the project’s costs, allowing for the inclusion of flashing lights, bells, and gates at the proposed pedestrian crossing.

    Jeff Greene, Community Growth and Identity Director, explained that the grant application requires a demonstration of committed funds. “The budget authority would only be used if the grant is successful,” Greene said. “If the grant is unsuccessful, then the project budget would not proceed.”

    Councillor Stefan Dykema expressed his support for the proposal, calling it a “no-brainer.” He emphasized the opportunity to leverage federal resources to enhance community safety and potentially reduce the frequency of train whistles.

  • Okotoks to Welcome Rolling Barrage Motorcycle Rally Tonight

    It's a "wheel" good cause.

    The Rolling Barrage, a cross-country motorcycle rally, is set to arrive in Okotoks this evening, albeit later than initially expected due to an incident on Highway 93.

    The procession of around 200 motorcycles will now travel down Veterans Way in Okotoks between 5:30 and 6 p.m. The event is part of the Rolling Barrage‘s 10th anniversary celebration, which has raised over $600,000 for PTSD programs across Canada since its inception.

    A community reception will be held at the Viking Rentals Centre, hosted with support from the Town of Okotoks. Town officials and Highwood MLA RJ Sigurdson are also expected to attend the event.

    The Rolling Barrage began its journey on August 1, departing from St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador.

  • Okotoks Fire & Rescue Earns Prestigious International Accreditation

    Okotoks Fire & Rescue is now "fired up" to serve the community with even greater excellence.

    Okotoks Fire & Rescue has achieved Accredited Agency status from the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI), a prestigious international designation recognizing the department’s commitment to excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement in emergency service delivery.

    Okotoks is now the ninth Canadian municipality and the second in Alberta to earn this accreditation, joining a select group of over 300 accredited agencies worldwide. This achievement is a testament to the professionalism, dedication, and determination of everyone involved in the department.

    The accreditation process involved a rigorous voluntary review of all aspects of the fire service, including governance, community risk, emergency response, training, workforce development, infrastructure, financial resources, and performance measurement. Okotoks Fire & Rescue completed a comprehensive self-assessment, which was independently reviewed and validated by a team of fire-service professionals.

    As part of the process, the department completed a Community Risk Assessment and Standards of Cover, which uses local risks, response data, and service demands to guide planning and set clear performance expectations. This resulted in an evidence-based roadmap for serving a growing and increasingly complex community.

    Accreditation establishes an ongoing framework for measuring performance, addressing opportunities for improvement, and adapting services as community needs evolve. It confirms that the department’s decisions are grounded in evidence, its service levels respond to community risk, and the organization is committed to learning and improving.

    Learn more about Okotoks Fire & Rescue at okotoks.ca/fire