Alberta

East of the Stampede, it’s about as big an ag fair as you’ll find.

Sitting beneath the towering cottonwood trees that flank Calgary’s original Macleod Trail, it doesn’t take long to get roped in by the spirit of western hospitality.

Once again, I’m rifling through drawers and closets in search of misplaced mittens, sweaters and toques. In the background, a weather report calls for 20 to 30 centimetres.

For many of us, Christmas comes and goes in a blur — but for skiers and winter-loving folk in Alberta, Jasper in January is a festive time that keeps on giving.

While many have visited the Calgary Stampede rodeo, the nearby town of Strathmore is home to one of the biggest CPRA-sanctioned rodeos around.

Shawn Bell, director of community services for the Town of Vermilion, has a dilemma on his hands.

Most people would rather not drive on an icy road for fear of a white-knuckling experience trying to stay in control of the car.  But then again, most people aren’t ice racers.

Before she moved to Vermilion, Carol Wasylik knew from visiting the town that it had lots of activities and plenty of community involvement.

Sustainival's first year in Fort McMurray was the talk of the town and fun for everyone - even those hard-to-please teens.

The Village of Waterton is still small. Main street takes 20 minutes to stroll because you stopped for 15 minutes to watch a herd of deer go by.

They know how to kick back and have good, clean fun and get-in-the-muck fun at the Hylo/Venice Harvest Days southwest of Lac La Biche.

It takes a community to run a carnival. A carnival whose rides, food trucks, lights and all on-site attractions are powered 100 per cent by biodiesel fuel.