Whoop-Up Days is still two weeks out, which leaves Henderson Lake and the Japanese garden to carry Heritage Day, and both are doing it properly on the Monday. Add three Bulls home games in four nights and a Saturday market, and the long weekend fills itself. Six things worth leaving the house for. For what is open and closed on the holiday, we have a full guide here.
Heritage Day Festival at Henderson Lake Park
Festival
The Southern Alberta Ethnic Association runs the city's main Heritage Day event, seven hours of cultural performances, food and activities from communities across Lethbridge, including the Southern Alberta Chinese Association, the India-Canada Cultural Association, the Lethbridge Sri Lankan Association and the Bhutanese association. It is free. Park on the Mayor Magrath side and walk in, and bring cash for the food booths.
When: Monday, August 3, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Henderson Lake Park, Lethbridge
Cost: Free
Heritage Day Festival at Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden
Culture
A full day of Japanese culture in the garden: a lion dance at noon, HIBIKIYA taiko drumming from 12:30, an origami demonstration through the afternoon and, new this year, a yukata dressing experience at 11:30 and again at 1:30. Your $20 covers everything plus a drink and a cookie. The taiko slot draws the biggest crowd, so walk the garden itself first thing at 9 a.m. while it is quiet and circle back for the performances. It is a five-minute drive from Henderson Lake, so the two Heritage Day events pair easily.
When: Monday, August 3, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: 835 Mayor Magrath Drive S
Cost: $20 per person, includes a drink and a cookie
Instagram: @nikkayuko
Lethbridge Bulls
Sports
Three home games in four nights at Spitz Stadium, against Sylvan Lake on Saturday and Sunday and Medicine Hat on the holiday Monday. Sunday's 2 p.m. start is the family slot, and the Monday 5 p.m. game gets you home at a reasonable hour before the short week. Cheap seats, cheap concession, and the stadium is small enough that there is no bad angle.
When: Saturday, August 1 at 6 p.m.; Sunday, August 2 at 2 p.m.; Monday, August 3 at 5 p.m.
Where: Spitz Stadium, Lethbridge
Cost: Tickets through the Bulls
Instagram: @lethbridgebulls
Lethbridge Farmers' Market
Free
Saturday morning at the Trade and Convention Centre, free to walk in, and it is indoors and air conditioned, which matters in August. Worth noting for the rest of your summer: the Saturday market takes two weeks off on August 15 and 22 for Whoop-Up Days, so this weekend and next are your last two before the break.
When: Saturday, August 1, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Lethbridge Trade and Convention Centre, 101 Exhibition Way S
Cost: Free entry
Instagram: @lethbridgefarmersmarket
Creative Carving Demonstration with GRS Ceramics
Arts
A two-hour drop-in carving demonstration downtown on the Saturday afternoon, free to watch. It is a short, low-commitment stop that slots in neatly between the morning market and whatever you are doing with the rest of the day, and downtown parking is free on Saturdays.
When: Saturday, August 1, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: 318 7 Street South
Cost: Free
Play Zone Drop-In
Family
A free drop-in play program for families with children under six, running Friday morning at two locations before the long weekend properly starts. No registration and no cost, which makes it the easiest way to get a preschooler out of the house on a day when most of the city is still at work.
When: Friday, July 31, from 9:30 a.m.
Where: Two locations, including Play Zone West; check the city calendar
Cost: Free
Editor's Pick
The Heritage Day Festival at Henderson Lake. It is free, it runs seven hours, and it is the one event of the weekend that actually does what the holiday is for, with communities from across the city running their own booths and stages. Do it in the afternoon and start your morning at Nikka Yuko while the garden is still quiet, since the two are five minutes apart.
Know an event we missed? Tag us @culturealberta or email hello@culturealberta.com.
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