Visiting Calgary and Southern Alberta

Summer in Calgary, the largest city and centre of the largest metro area in Canada's Alberta province, is stampede time. The famous Calgary Stampede, called the world's richest rodeo and roughest ride, takes place for ten days in July. Calgary and Southern Alberta, traversed by the Trans-Canada highway leads travelers from Medicine Hat in the East to the amazing beauty of Banff National Park near the British Columbia Border. Destinations like the turquoise waters of Lake Louise, Jasper National Park and Drumheller (the dinosaur capital of the world), are busy with summer visitors. World-class ski resorts are filled with hikers enjoying the great weather, stunning views and alpine forests.

Medicine Hat celebrates its culture and heritage at the community 2010 Exhibition and Stampede July 28th through 31st. Headliners this year include Travis Tritt, LeAnn Rimes and the Little River Band – a great concert line-up for everyone. Regular events include three nights of rodeo, kid's parade and festival royalty. Fun for the entire family! Travelers can book accommodations at the Best Western Inn in Medicine Hat for a nice home away from home.

Lethbridge in Southern Alberta celebrates the 2010 Whoop-Up Days Family Festival August 24th through 28th. This popular summer event begins with the Whoop-Up Days Parade with the 2010 theme “ Family Festival”. Events continue through the week at Exhibition Park with over 100 vendors in the marketplace, cooking demonstrations and a reptile zoo. Entertainment includes roving street performers, clowns, dog agility demonstrations and a rodeo. Grandstand headliners include Colin James, Unzipped and Aaron lines. A terrific family and community celebration to top off your summer. The Best Western Heidelberg Inn in Lethbridge is an ideal location for a family getaway in the area. With clean, comfortable and affordable rooms, it is a wise choice for travelers.

Canmore, about an hour and a half west of Calgary, is an active and energetic community. The Canmore Nordic Centre hosts 24 hours of Adrenalin on July 24th. This is a mountain bike race where teams compete to see who can do the most laps in 24 hours. The 2010 race draws the best mountain bikers from the west coast and rocky mountains to compete and have fun. Canmore also hosts CAUSE Canada's 15th Annual Rocky Mountain Half-Marathon, 10K and 5K Run/Walk. The 2010 race will be held September 12th. Enjoy beautiful Alberta with courses in the shadows of Ha Ling Peak and Three Sisters.

The Best Western Pocaterra Inn in Canmore is set in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, convenient for travelers to area events and the surrounding natural wonderland. An ideal spot to enjoy summer in Southern Alberta. With affordable rates, make sure to stay and see all the surrounding attractions.