Now’s the Time to Visit Heritage Park

by Allison Percival; sponsored by Heritage Park

Have you been to Heritage Park yet this summer? It’s at the top of our list for August this year. The wonderful thing about Heritage Park that separates it from some of the other attractions in town is that it’s always changing, like a real town does – thanks to the events, interpreters and performers, there’s something new for everyone every day.

What’s particularly cool about this summer is that two of Heritage Park’s big events, Railway Days and the Festival of Quilts were moved to August this year, making it one of their fullest and most exciting months for programming ever! Rides and activities they weren’t able to open in May and June are open now for everyone to enjoy, and there are TONS of new activities to explore if you haven’t been this year!  

Here’s what you need to know about Heritage Park this month!

Access

• All of Heritage Park is open 10am – 5pm every day until September 6
• No timed tickets required (although you can buy them online to beat the line)
• Midway rides are open; horse-drawn wagon rides, the train and the S.S. Moyie are all running as normal
• The farm animals are ready for visitors in the ranch area, too!
• Safety is Heritage Park’s top priority! Staff are masked, and guests are welcome to wear masks, especially when in areas where social distancing can’t be maintained.  There are plenty of hand sanitizer stations throughout the park and there are enhanced cleaning measures, including cleaning in between all of the rides.
• 127 acres means plenty of room to spread out and enjoy the day!

What’s Up

There are regular events happening almost every day of the week this August:

Tuesdays – Shakespeare on the Go
Catch Theatre Calgary’s 45-minute production featuring scenes from A Comedy of Errors performed by The Shakespeare Company and Hit + Myth Productions every Tuesday at 2pm (inside the park) and 5pm (Heritage Town Square). Perfect for all ages!

Wednesdays – Music in the Park
This amazing free summer concert series takes place every Wednesday from 6-8pm.  Different artists perform each week. Bring a picnic, lawn chairs or a blanket, or pick up food, ice cream or candy right at the Park! Great for a family night out or date night.

Thursdays – Ghost Tours
Two 90-minute tours a night at 7:30 and 9:00, this one is perfect for older kids (16+) or a spooky date night. Wander through the park and learn all about its ghostly inhabitants. Tickets must be purchased in advance.

Fridays – Market Nights
Saturdays – Market Nights
Visit the park on Fridays from 5-9 and Saturdays from 3-9pm to shop from local artisans and vendors, then enjoy an ice cream from Harvey’s Confectionery or sit down to dinner at the Selkirk.

Plus, two of their most popular annual events have been moved to August this year!

August 7-8 – Railway Days
Free with admission. A full weekend of train fun! Both steam engines will run all weekend long and pull the train around the park together. Enjoy tours of the steam engine cab, turntable demonstrations, model trains, caboose rides, Kids’ Railway Challenge (activities galore all over the park like learning how to conduct a train and visiting a hobo camp) and much more!

August 21-22 – Festival of Quilts
Free with admission. Hundreds of stunning homemade quilts of all shapes, sizes and techniques will blanket Heritage Park in a beautiful array of colour and pattern! Introduce your kids to this truly special heritage craft, enjoy the Merchant’s Mall and take some quilting workshops.

New in the Park

Anne Frank – A History for Today
This special exhibit is featured on the second level of the Gasoline Alley museum until September 6th and is suitable for all ages. This exhibit shares the story of Anne, her family, their life in hiding, the Second World War and the atrocities of the holocaust. This exhibition will challenge visitors to think about concepts of inclusiveness, mutual respect, human rights, and democracy.

Battle for the Ballots
Who are you supporting in the 1910 election? Not sure? Come down to Main Street and watch street theatre performances from the candidates and their supporters, women’s rights rallies and (of course) cast your vote as you learn about democracy in the early days of Calgary. Perfect for homeschoolers!

Prospect Ridge 
A brand new area in the park this summer! Explore the hunt for natural resources that drove settlers to Western Canada through a working water wheel, coal mine, the Park Warden’s cabin, prospector’s cabin, an oil well and Mine Office. We really love the rustic nature trail that connects all the buildings together along the ridge!

Something New Every Day

The real charm of Heritage Park is that it’s like visiting a living, breathing village stepped right out of the past – no matter how many times you visit, you’ll always see something new!