Coaldale’s signature summer celebration is back. The Coaldale Summer Fest will return this August, bringing families and neighbours together for a weekend of free entertainment, food, and community pride in this growing southern Alberta town.
Now in its fifth year, the festival was launched in 2022 as a successor to the one-time Celebrate Main event. Organizers have set this year’s theme as “Honouring Our Past, Building Our Future,” a nod to the people and traditions that shaped Coaldale while looking ahead to new opportunities.
The festival features a long list of activities spread across multiple days, starting Thursday, August 6 with a Farmers’ Market Grand Opening and continuing through the weekend. On Saturday, the Candy Parade, presented by McCain, steps off at 11 a.m. The Custom Cruisers Show & Shine will bring classic cars to Main Street, while the Kinsmen Beer Garden offers a spot to relax. Families can enjoy Movie in the Park, a Free Swim, and Family Zones. A fireworks display is planned for approximately 10:20 p.m. Saturday.
Other events include a pancake breakfast hosted by the Knights of Columbus, a Food Bank BBQ, the Domesticated Divas artisan market at Civic Plaza, and the Ride for Dad concert, which raises awareness for prostate cancer. A Sunday Cowboy Church service will wrap up the weekend.
The Kinsmen Club of Coaldale, a local service group dating back to 1950, plays a major role in organizing the festival. They host the beer garden and, along with radio stations 94.1 CJOC and 98.1 The Ranch, present the outdoor movie. Mayor Jack Van Rijn has called Summer Fest “one of Coaldale’s signature annual events,” saying it reflects the town’s community values and small-town pride.
While the official festival website displays conflicting dates, events begin as early as Thursday, August 6, with the heart of the festival running August 7 to 9. Organizers encourage everyone to check the town’s website for the latest schedule.
