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Good morning !

Last week, we told you about free summer admission to Alberta museums and heritage sites—but less than half of you expect to go once or twice. This week, find out what’s coming up at the Calgary Folk Festival, and how the province is responding to residents’ feedback on our healthcare system.

👀 In today's edition:

• Two cultural festivals happening this weekend

• Province defends pulling books from libraries

• Think you’re seeing lots of mosquitos? Think again.

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WORTH KNOWING

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QUICK POLL

Alberta creates councils to boost community input on healthcare

Alberta is launching 14 new advisory councils to give residents a stronger voice in healthcare decisions, the provincial government announced. The councils include 150 members from 71 communities who will work with Alberta's health ministries to identify local challenges and suggest improvements.

The council members come from various backgrounds, including healthcare workers, community leaders, and municipal officials, according to the announcement. They will gather feedback from their communities and bring forward ideas that might not otherwise reach government. "By hearing first-hand community feedback directly, we can build a system that is more responsive, more inclusive and ultimately more effective for everyone," said Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Primary and Preventative Health Services.

The government is also working to create a separate Indigenous Advisory Council with up to 22 members to focus on healthcare services for First Nation, Métis and Inuit communities across Alberta.

Need to know

🎪 The 2025 Calgary Stampede approached record-breaking attendance levels, with over 1.19 million visitors by Friday, falling just short of the all-time record of 1.48 million set in 2024.

🔫 The RCMP classified Calgary-based Sterling Arms International's R9 MK1 semi-automatic rifle as a prohibited firearm, causing significant frustration for the manufacturer who had designed it to be non-restricted.

📚 Alberta Premier Danielle Smith justified the removal of sexually explicit books from school libraries by October 1, stating that young children should not be exposed to pornographic content at an early age.

🐎 A horse named Rider from Chad Fike's chuckwagon team was euthanized after sustaining a leg fracture during a race at the 2025 Calgary Stampede, marking the first reported animal death at this year's event.

🏠 Calgary experienced what appeared to be a normal mosquito season in 2025 after several mild years due to drought, with recent rainfall leading to increased mosquito activity that felt worse to residents than it actually was.

🏛️ Alberta Premier Danielle Smith paused new limits on farm slaughter licenses just five days after a rancher complained about the policy at a town hall meeting in Okotoks.

👀 One person was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries after being struck by a stray bullet during an altercation outside a downtown Calgary restaurant on 6 Avenue SW early Sunday morning.

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Calgary folk fest brings four days of music, food and fun to the island

The Calgary Folk Music Festival is back this summer, and it’s bringing the rhythm, the flavour, and the green vibes. From July 24 to 27, 2025, Prince’s Island Park will host more than 70 artists across seven stages, featuring everything from indie and folk to hip hop and global fusion. With headliners like BADBADNOTGOOD, Cake, Michael Kiwanuka, and Los Lobos, this beloved festival promises musical discovery and high-energy collaborations around every corner.

But the experience goes far beyond the music. Visitors can roam the island’s shaded pathways and explore a bustling arts market, sample international street food, and catch comedy, spoken word, and dance in the popular Talk Tent. Families will find kid-friendly activities, while adults can sip local brews in the Big Rock beer garden—with the freedom to wander thanks to site-wide liquor licensing.

Eco-conscious attendees can also feel good about where they’re dancing. The festival’s long-running sustainability program diverts over 70% of waste with help from volunteers and innovative green partnerships. With its blend of culture, community, and conscience, Calgary Folk Fest continues to prove that summer sounds better when it’s shared.

Where to eat and drink

🍴 Paper Lantern: Check out this hidden basement bar in Calgary’s Chinatown serving Vietnamese-inspired street food and tropical tiki cocktails in a vibrant lantern-lit atmosphere.

🍴 Bar Chouette: This contemporary French-inspired restaurant and cocktail bar located in Calgary’s Beltline neighbourhood blends classic culinary traditions with modern flavours, offering guests a warm and vibrant dining experience.

Have a food or drink suggestion? Message us and we might share it!

Things to do

🎟️ Calgary Latin Festival: Fiestaval is a lively three-day celebration in downtown Calgary where you can enjoy delicious Latin American food, live music from talented artists, unique crafts, and fun activities for the whole family.

🎟️ Calgary Japanese Festival: A 30-minute CTrain trip from the Latin Festival will take you to another cultural celebration, featuring over 50 vendors, a beer and sake garden, kids zone, and live performance—including a cosplay contest.

Have an event suggestion? Message us and we might share it!

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