All Grande Prairie Articles
Discover all 31 articles about Grande Prairie, the Peace Country.

Canada Day 2026 in Grande Prairie: Parade Route, Fireworks Location, Entertainment Lineup, and What Is Open
Canada Day in Grande Prairie is Wednesday July 1. The parade starts at 2 p.m. downtown. Muskoseepi Park activities run from 3:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Fireworks are at a new location this year — Legion Field at 11313 105 Street — at 11:30 p.m. Oliver Dawson is the 2026 Parade Marshal. Everything is free.

A Grande Prairie Teen Raised $44,000 and Organized the City's First Youth Festival While Finishing High School
EJ Igao, a graduating student at Composite High School, raised more than $44,000 in sponsorships and organized the first-ever GP Youth Fest at Muskoseepi Park on June 25. Talent show, basketball tournament, live music, food trucks, and guest speakers — all built by a teenager who was tired of hearing people call Grande Prairie boring.

Grande Prairie's $16.9 Million Multisport Dome Is Delayed. It Now Opens in Early 2027 Instead of This Summer
The City of Grande Prairie announced June 25 that its multisport dome at Trader Ridge will not be ready for public use until early 2027. The original completion target was July 2026. The city cited remaining coordination, servicing, grading, and approval requirements as the reason for the delay. No specific cause was given. The project remains active and construction continues.

Grande Prairie Man Charged with 17 Sex Crimes After Being Released from Custody Three Times in Two Months
Joseph Kidd, 32, of Grande Prairie faces 17 charges from four RCMP investigations between April 17 and June 18. Alleged victims range in age from 12 to 18. Kidd was released from custody three times during the investigation period and allegedly offended again each time. Some offences are alleged to have occurred while he was under court-imposed conditions. He is in custody with a court date of July 2

EB Horsman and Son Is Opening a Grande Prairie Branch on August 1. It Is Bringing Product Lines Not Currently Available in the Region
EB Horsman and Son, a 126-year-old Western Canadian electrical distributor, is opening its fourth Alberta location in Grande Prairie with a soft opening targeted for August 1, 2026. The full-line branch will stock electrical, lighting, data communications, and Siemens automation products not currently available locally. The company is hiring now for five positions including branch manager, inside sales, and counter sales.

Afternoon Tea Is Back at the Reverend Forbes Homestead in Grande Prairie This Summer. Tickets Are $10 and Booking Is Required
The Reverend Forbes Homestead at 10424 96 Street is hosting afternoon teas every Tuesday and Wednesday in July and August 2026 at 2 p.m. Tea, scones, jam, and a guided tour of the homestead are included for $10 per person. Advance booking is required through the Grande Prairie Museum at 780-830-7090.

Grande Prairie Just Rezoned VLA and Montrose to Allow Semi-Detached Homes. What Bylaw C-1228C Means for the Neighbourhood.
Grande Prairie City Council gave three readings to Bylaw C-1228C on June 8, 2026, amending the VLA/Montrose Area Redevelopment Plan to allow semi-detached dwellings on properties in the neighbourhood. The change aligns with the neighbourhood plan's long-standing objective of supporting modest housing growth within existing residential areas.

A Worker Is Dead After a 300-Ton Crane Crashed Through the Wapiti River Bridge Railing and Plunged Into the River South of Grande Prairie
A crane truck crashed through the railing of the Wapiti River Bridge on Highway 40 south of Grande Prairie on June 16 and fell into the Wapiti River below. The worker inside is dead. The crane is still on the river bottom. Divers cannot enter —the current is too strong. RCMP plan to use sonar next week to locate the vehicle.

Grande Prairie Fire Advisory in Effect. Your Backyard Fire Pit Is Still Allowed. Your Burn Barrel Probably Is Not
A fire advisory took effect for the City of Grande Prairie and the County of Grande Prairie at 3 p.m. on June 5. Conditions improved enough to downgrade from a fire restriction, but the area remains dry. Backyard fire pits with screens are allowed. Open burning, burn barrels, and fireworks without written authorization are not. Wind over 15 km/h means no burning at all.

Grande Prairie's $35 Million Maskwa Medical Centre Is Being Built Next to the Hospital. The City and County Are Being Asked to Back the Loan
The Maskwa Medical Centre is a 100,000 square foot non-profit facility under construction next to the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital. Teaching clinic, specialist offices, pharmacy, medical supply store, daycare, restaurant, and parkade. The city and county are each being asked to guarantee portions of a $23.35 million ATB construction loan. No patient user fees. Public engagement on the county's guarantee closes June 28

Grande Prairie Just Made It Illegal to Release Animals Into Public Spaces. The Fine Goes Up to $2,500.
Grande Prairie City Council passed an amendment to its Noise, Nuisance and Public Disturbances Bylaw on May 25 that explicitly prohibits releasing, abandoning, relocating, or introducing any animal into a public place or on public property. First offence: $250. Repeat offence: up to $2,500. Yes, this includes goldfish in a pond.

Grande Prairie Earns Provincial Age-Friendly Recognition as More Residents Reach Retirement Age
The City of Grande Prairie has received the Age-Friendly Alberta Recognition Award, a provincial designation that recognizes communities working to make life more accessible, connected, and inclusive for older adults. The recognition highlights a growing focus on senior-friendly services as nearly one in five local residents are now aged 55 or older.

Grande Prairie Students Can Now Train as Heavy Equipment Technicians While Still in High School
Three Grande Prairie school divisions are launching the Grande Prairie Regional Career Collegiate this fall, letting high school students begin apprenticeship training without leaving their home schools. The program is backed by Alberta Education funding and runs out of Northwestern Polytechnic's brand new trades training centre opening this fall.

Weyerhaeuser Pleads Guilty After Grande Prairie Mill Death, Pays $355K
Weyerhaeuser Company Limited pleaded guilty after a worker was killed at one of its lumber mills near Grande Prairie in 2023. A $355,000 court-ordered penalty will fund industrial safety training for new workers in northern Alberta.

Grande Prairie Firefighters Responded to Four Fires in 48 Hours. Every Single One Was Caused by a Cigarette.
A fire restriction has been in effect across Grande Prairie since May 9. Last week an out-of-control wildfire burned south of the city. Now the fire department is asking smokers to pay attention because the losses so far are already in the hundreds of thousands.

Grande Prairie Is Finally Getting a $16.9 Million Indoor Sports Dome After Years of Turning Kids Away
Since 2022, Grande Prairie's only indoor soccer club has turned away hundreds of kids every winter due to a lack of space. A $16.9 million dome breaking ground this fall is finally the answer and it's been a long time coming.
Grande Prairie Is Hiring Peace Officers and Police Officers No Experience Required for Some Positions
The Grande Prairie Police Service and Grande Prairie Enforcement Services have five open positions right now, from Peace Officers to experienced police of all ranks. Starting salaries run from $46 an hour to over $119,000 a year depending on the role and you get paid during training.

Grande Prairie Stompede 2026: Schedule, Pancake Breakfast, Rodeo and What to Know
The Grande Prairie Stompede runs May 27 to 31, 2026, at Evergreen Park. Here's the full schedule — including a free pancake breakfast, pro rodeo, chuckwagons, and concerts from David Lee Murphy and Jade Eagleson.

High Wildfire Danger Warning Issued for Grande Prairie Region Heading Into May Long Weekend
Alberta Wildfire is warning of high fire danger in the Grande Prairie Forest Area this long weekend due to strong winds and dry conditions — and a wildfire burning just 15 kilometres west of the Alberta border in B.C. has crews on standby.

Grande Prairie Charter Bus Rollover Leaves Four Oil and Gas Workers in Critical Condition
A charter bus carrying 17 oil and gas workers rolled off Highway 672 near Beaverlodge Wednesday morning, leaving four people in critical condition. STARS Air Ambulance flew two missions from the scene.

Alberta Wildfire Near Whitecourt Between Edmonton and Grande Prairie Forces Evacuation Order
A wildfire south of Whitecourt has forced an evacuation order for part of Woodlands County, including the West Ridge subdivision, as crews respond near Highway 43 between Edmonton and Grande Prairie.

Measles Exposure Confirmed at Grande Prairie Hospital Emergency Department
Alberta Health has issued a public alert after a confirmed measles case was linked to visits at Grande Prairie Regional Hospital's Emergency Department on April 20 and 22.

Man Charged with Manslaughter in Death of 74-Year-Old Peace River Taxi Driver Hashi Guled
Hashi Guled, 74, a taxi driver, was killed at a Peace River gas station on April 23. Daniel Michel Campion, 37, faces manslaughter charges

Grande Prairie Is Hosting Nearly 900 of Canada's Best Young Wrestlers This Weekend
The 2026 Canadian Wrestling Championships land in northern Alberta this weekend, bringing 896 athletes, coaches, and officials from across the country to Grande Prairie for three days of national-level competition.

RCMP Seek Suspect After Man Found Dead at Peace River Gas Station
Alberta RCMP's Major Crimes Unit is investigating after a man was killed at a Peace River Petro-Canada on April 23 — roughly 130 km from Grande Prairie. Surveillance footage shows a suspect steal the victim's taxi and run him over. RCMP are asking anyone who saw the vehicle between 2 a.m. and 2 p.m. that day to come forward.

Grande Prairie Police Service Enters Final Stretch Before Full Takeover from RCMP
The Grande Prairie Police Service is in the final months of its transition away from the RCMP, confirming it remains on track to assume full jurisdiction in October 2026 two years ahead of schedule. All Watches are fully staffed and officer numbers are set to reach 70 this month.

Measles Exposure Reported at Grande Prairie Friendship Centre
Alberta Health has issued a public alert after a potential measles exposure at the Grande Prairie Friendship Centre on March 10. If you were there between 4 and 8 p.m., here is what you need to know.
RCMP Seek Driver Who Fled Fatal Highway 49 Crash in Northern Alberta's Municipal District of Smoky River
A semi driver is dead after a black Ford F150 crossed into oncoming traffic on Highway 49 in the Municipal District of Smoky River on February 18 and fled the scene. McLennan RCMP have released dashcam footage and are asking anyone who travelled that stretch of highway that afternoon to check their cameras.

Where to See the Northern Lights Near Grande Prairie Alberta and How to Actually Find Them
Grande Prairie sits inside the auroral oval one of the best-positioned cities in Canada for northern lights viewing. Here's when to go, where to go, and what to actually look for.

Grande Prairie RCMP Asking for Help Finding 15-Year-Old Gracie-Ann Gale
Grande Prairie RCMP are asking the public for help locating 15-year-old Gracie-Ann Gale, last seen February 21. It's the third time in a year she has gone missing from the area.

Grande Prairie RCMP Searching for Missing 18-Year-Old Serenity Russell
Grande Prairie RCMP are urgently searching for 18-year-old Serenity Russell, last seen February 26 in Grande Prairie. With temperatures dropping below freezing, investigators say the first 48-72 hours are critical share this now.