Off to the Races: Horse Racing in Edmonton

What can you expect when you attend an afternoon of thoroughbred racing at Northlands Park? A little bit of excitement and a lot of atmosphere.

The Races
An afternoon of racing at Northlands Park usually consists of 10 races. You can watch the races from the outdoor grandstand, indoor seating or down by the rails at track level. “Down by the rail you can really appreciate the power and speed of the horses,” says my friend Terry, who enjoys attending the races at Northlands. “You can feel the vibration of the hooves pounding as the horses go past and it adds to the excitement.”

Betting
Betting on the races is an integral part of the action. For people serious about betting, racing forms give background on each horse such as performance record and jockey. Tip sheets prepared by professional handicappers are also available and list their top picks. Alberta’s racing website provides tips on types of bets and how to handicap (pick your horse).

Off Track Action
In between races there’s a lot going on. Spectators can visit the paddock to scope out the horses for the next race, get something to eat from the many restaurants, or watch races broadcast from other racing venues.

Atmosphere
Terry and his wife Megan love the atmosphere. “On a nice day there’s nothing like sitting in the stands, having a beer and hotdog, and enjoying a little excitement,” says Terry.

Whether you like the action or the atmosphere, I bet you’ll have fun checking out the horse races at Edmonton’s Northlands Park.

This weekend was the start of the thoroughbred racing season at Northlands Park in Edmonton. The Rocky Mountain Turf Club in Lethbridge, Evergreen Park in Grand Prairie and Alberta Downs in Lacombe also host thoroughbred events.

Behind the Scenes of Lethbridge's History

History is more than buildings and antiques. It’s also about the people who came before us and the experiences they had. From May 1 to 9, we have the opportunity to learn about our collective past by attending Historic Lethbridge Week.

Hear from a Japanese Canadian who was placed in an internment camp during World War II and learn about Canadian war brides. A screening of a 1945 Oscar-winning movie and a 1940s dance hall party will help you re-live the fun side of the war years.

Demonstrations of Sumi-e (traditional Japanese painting style), Bonseki (art of creating landscapes on black lacquer trays using white sand, pebbles, and small rocks) and Ikebana (flower arrangement) get you in touch with your artistic side.

Other events such as cemetery tours and a peek at the Galt Museum’s collections vault allow a glimpse of often unseen parts of history.

Experience the stories behind the places and things that represent Alberta’s history during Historic Lethbridge Week.

Other locations in the province also offer similar historic festivals:

• Edmonton and Northern Alberta Historic Festival, July 9 - 18, 2010
• Doors Open Edmonton, July 9 - 11, 2010
• Historic Calgary Week, July 23-August 2, 2010

The Hunt is on for Easter Activities

With Easter on the horizon, I’ve been thinking about activities that families can do to have some fun for Easter. Many major attractions in Alberta have kid-friendly events planned during the Easter weekend.

Calgary

• Munch on Easter Brunch at Heritage Park and participate in a scavenger hunt and traditional Easter egg decorating. Sunday, April 4
• Kids can meet Peter Rabbit, enter the colouring contest and enjoy face painting, crafts and games at Fort Calgary’s Spring Fever. Sunday, April 4
• At the Calgary’s Zoo’s Easter Eggstravaganza, families can enjoy treats of many kinds - entertainment, the Cadbury scavenger hunt and personalized cookie treats. Friday, April 2 and Saturday, April 3

Edmonton

• An afternoon of old-fashioned fun awaits at Rutherford House. Taste cookies baked in the wood-burning stove and find historically-coloured Easter eggs. Sunday, April 4
• At Fort Edmonton Park’s Sweet Treat Hide and Seek, kids can exchange eggs found on the Easter egg hunt for treats. There will also be storytelling, a petting zoo, and a rabbit jumping demonstration. Saturday, April 3

Grand Prairie

• Grand Prairie’s Muskoseepi Park is the site of an Easter Eggstravaganza with a bunny display, cookie decorating, games, Easter egg hunt and a visit by the Easter Bunny. Saturday, April 3
  

Lethbridge

• Dye eggs and snap photos with the Easter Bunny at the Galt Museum’s Annual Eggstravaganza. Saturday, April 3

These activities are sure to keep you hopping.