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  • 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.

  • Local Riders Shine at Okotoks Pro Rodeo

    It's clear the local riders were "roping" in the applause at the Okotoks Pro Rodeo.

    The Okotoks Pro Rodeo returned to the Millarville Racing & Agricultural Society grounds this weekend, featuring a strong lineup of local talent. On Saturday, 12 local riders took part in the competition, including five from Nanton, two from Cayley, and one each from High River, Foothills, Longview, Vulcan, and Granum.

    Several local cowboys and cowgirls delivered standout performances in front of a packed grandstand. Nanton’s Ty Taypotat posted an 83-point ride in bareback, while Carter Sandberg battled through a tough ride in saddle bronc. Clay Elliott and Josh Eirikson also represented Nanton in tie-down roping, with Eirikson putting together a clean run.

    Other local competitors included Tatum Wilson and Quinn Leslie in breakaway roping, Steele DePaoli and his partner Ty Cahoon in team roping, and Austin Kroeker in bull riding. The event also featured mutton bustin’ and the crowning of a new Miss Rodeo Okotoks, Sadie Finnebraaten.

    The Okotoks Pro Rodeo continues on Sunday, with 14 local competitors set to take part in the competition. The action is scheduled to start at 1 p.m.

  • 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.

  • Parking Restrictions on Cimarron Boulevard in Okotoks for Road Maintenance

    It looks like Okotoks is "sealing" the deal on road maintenance.

    Okotoks residents are advised of temporary parking bans on sections of Cimarron Boulevard from August 24-26 to facilitate crack sealing operations.

    The parking restrictions will be in effect during the following times and locations:

    • August 24-25, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.: Cimarron Boulevard between 32 Street and Cimarron Drive
    • August 25-26, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.: Cimarron Boulevard between Cimarron Drive and Southridge Drive

    Residents are required to remove all vehicles and obstructions from the roadway during the parking ban periods. Alternate routes are recommended where possible.

    Waste collection, emergency services, and Canada Post delivery will not be impacted by the parking restrictions.

    For more information, residents can visit okotoks.ca/maintenance-routes or contact Municipal Enforcement at 403-995-6302 or Transportation at 403-938-8952.

  • Okotoks Home Sales Remain Steady Amid Declining Benchmark Prices

    It seems the Okotoks housing market is "benchmarking" a new trend.

    Okotoks’ summer housing market has seen steady sales and listings, according to the Calgary Real Estate Board (CREB). In June, the town recorded 89 new listings and 70 sales, while July saw 78 new listings and 70 sales, resulting in a sales-to-new-listings ratio of 90 per cent.

    Although supply has improved from the low levels of the past five years, it remains below normal levels, CREB reported. Benchmark prices continue to decline, likely due to increased competition from new developments in south Calgary.

    As of July, the unadjusted detached benchmark price in Okotoks eased to $695,700, a decrease of more than two per cent compared to the same time last year.

    In the broader Foothills region, CREB reported 137 sales and 194 new listings in July, with a sales-to-new-listings ratio of 71 per cent. The region’s inventory sits at 365 homes, with 2.66 months of supply.

    The benchmark price in Foothills is $690,400, with an average price of $741,733, and a median price of $627,500. Year to date, the region has recorded 799 sales and 1,289 new listings, with a year-to-date benchmark price of $681,114.

  • Crash on Highway 2A north of Okotoks causes morning delays

    It looks like traffic is back on the right track.

    Traffic is flowing normally again after a morning incident on northbound Highway 2A, just north of Okotoks and past 322 Avenue, caused delays for commuters.

    Emergency crews responded to the incident, which occurred shortly after 5 a.m.

    During the response, northbound traffic was reduced to a single lane, while southbound traffic remained unaffected.

  • 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.