Backroads Alberta

05/31/2026

As I've visited towns I've been impressed with the way volunteers can just make things happen even without much financial support. And Tofield was a great example of this. But I was pretty blown away by this story of how a few volunteers were able to completely revive a fading senior's centre after covid. It's pretty inspiring what can be done when people have enough passion and just make things happen.

05/31/2026

There's a huge difference attending a small town rodeo. It's the place where dreams begin for young bullriders like Levi and then there's the even younger kids who were there helping out behind the chutes. That's amazing to see. And it hit home even more since I was about the same age as these boys when I lived in this town of Tofield. It's a place that shaped and helped me become who I am and it's thanks to the opportunities of a small town community. I enjoyed seeing young people dreaming and playing together at this really cool event. Check out the Tofield episode on Youtube!!

05/24/2026

In our latest episode we visited the Town of Tofield for their Western Days and it was so much fun! If you're looking a great small town rodeo with some incredible community events this event happens the 2nd weekend of August and the Tofield Agricultural Society really does it up right.. including a Street Promenade and a gourmet pancake breakfast. Definitely worth hitting the road to see. But in the meantime check out this episode

I was excited to head to Tofield for their Western Days Event. I actually lived in this town when I was a kid so it had a lot of nostalgia for me and it felt...

05/23/2026

When we were in Tofield for their Western Days we met Christina from The Sour Moose Candy Store and we absolutely had to stop in and grab some sweets. The store has an amazing selection of candy but you can really tell this is about much more than candy. It's businesses like this that really become an integral part of the community and when you visit the store or see them supporting an event like the Street Promenade you really get to see how much that plays out.
Catch more stories like this on the full episode on our youtube channel.

05/22/2026

It feels like the whole town just shows up for the promenade during Western Days in Tofield. I'm getting really excited to hit up small town rodeos this summer like this because it's just so much fun. Our episode on Tofield is getting ready to drop on our Youtube channel so watch for that. It's a good one!

05/21/2026

Did you know we have our very own UFO site right here in Town of St. Paul, Alberta? I learned all about it when I came for the Lakeland Finals Rodeo put on by St. Paul Ag Society. Sounds odd to talk about Cowboys and Aliens in the same place but that's what you'll find in St. Paul. And the Musée St. Paul Museum is pretty awesome too. Check it out:

Welcome to St. Paul, Alberta—the only place on earth where you can stand on an intergalactic UFO landing pad in the morning and get covered in rodeo dust by ...

05/14/2026

Lanterns on the Pond was a beautiful display of community coming together in Drayton Valley. This is not the type of event I expected to find in what I thought was just an oil town. But I learned this town shows up for really each other and this type community support can look really amazing, whether it's a crisis like a wildfire or navigating the challenges of Covid... just like a simple gathering where people come together at a park and light up lanterns to put out on the pond. From a filmmaking standpoint I loved this... for the visuals... as well as the story. It was pretty stunning. Full episode is on our youtube channel

05/14/2026

05/11/2026

If you remember hearing about the fire in 2023 that threatened the town of Drayton Valley you probably don't know the story behind it and how close the town came to being burned down. It's incredible that a literal middle of the night decision made the difference. Fire & Flood Emergency Services was able to come in and put in a sprinkler system that kept the fire at bay and the residents and their homes safe. It's everyone pulling together in a time of crisis that makes towns like Drayton Valley so compelling. Check out the full episode on our youtube channel.

05/09/2026

I knew very little about the sport of cricket. It's not really a big thing in Canada. So I was surprised and intrigued by a cricket tournament in Drayton Valley. It sounds like the Multicultural Association puts on lots of events like this to build their community. And they were extremely welcoming on having someone outside the culture like me come and spectate and ask questions. They were happy to give me a run down on the basics of the sport that seems to be growing in Alberta.
Catch the full episode on our Youtube Channel. Link in the comments.