Developers vs. Town Council? The $12M Tax Stirring Up Canmore

Hey Canmore! Here's What's Happening This Week!
Summers is in full swing, and Canmore is buzzing with big headlines and bold events. Get ready for open-air drama as the Summer Theatre Festival lands in Centennial Park with The Wizard of Oz at 1 p.m. and a twilight showing of Treasure Island. Think puppets, sword fights, and mountain air.
Meanwhile, Canmore’s new vacancy tax is under fire from developers, and a 25-year downtown redevelopment plan has officially been approved, including seasonal pedestrian zones and protections for Eklof Park.
It’s a week full of action, discussion, and arts - scroll down for more events, happy hours, and the latest mountain-town happenings!

📅 Our events calendar is now fully live.
It's your go-to source for local music, festivals, and everything happening around town. Check it out and send us your feedback - we’d love to hear what you think!

🏔️ Canmore in Brief - Headlines this Week 📰

🎭 Canmore Summer Theatre Festival returns with two bold outdoor shows
Set in Centennial Park, this year's festival features The Wizard of Oz at 1pm and a twilight run of Treasure Island with stage combat, puppetry, and music. More

🏘️ Canmore's vacancy tax faces pushback from developers
BILD Alberta is lobbying the province to review the bylaw targeting second homes, which aims to raise $12M for affordable housing from vacant properties. See details

🎫 Kananaskis Pass stays put despite waived national park fees
While Canada's federal parks go free, Alberta's $15 daily K-Pass remains - and critics say it's an unfair barrier for locals. More

🍗 KFC opens in Canmore with high-tech service and Canadian flair
A brand-new KFC has opened at Railway Avenue and Bow Valley Trail, featuring touchscreen ordering, quick turnaround, and décor that proudly showcases a distinctly Canadian identity. More

🐻 Parks Canada issues bear warning during berry season
Visitors to Banff National Park are advised to travel in groups, make noise, and carry bear spray due to increased bear activity on trails. Read more

🚵‍♀️ CAMBA Social Ride returns to Canmore Nordic Centre
Join a free group mountain bike ride on July 18 - with green, blue, and black trail options, plus après beers at the Continental Cup Beer Gardens. Read more

🎨 Canmore artist pokes fun at mountain life in colourful new exhibit
Amery Sandford's "Dare to Ride" at artsPlace features playful prints and drawings that blend quirky humour with commentary on tourism, nature, and ski-town culture. Read more

🥾 Youth Hiking Week provides outdoor adventure for ages 10-15
Hosted by the Alpine Club of Canada, this five-day summer program includes group hikes, safety tips, and outdoor games on local trails near Canmore. More

📑 Canmore council approves 25-year downtown redevelopment plan
After public feedback, councillors voted to maintain seasonal pedestrian zones, preserve Eklof Park, and retain 11m height limits with visual softening on taller buildings. Read on

📚 Canmore Library's Summer Book Sale is back!
From July 23 to 26, score great deals on gently used books - and support the local library at the same time. More

Readers' Choice: Most Visited Links from the Last Issue

• 🍷 Grizzly Paw's French beer dinner is almost sold out

• 🏘️ Big changes proposed for Canmore's tourist home enforcement

• 📅 Our events calendar is now fully live

🎟️Events, Activities & Live Music 🎸

We keep it short here - head to OUR NEW EVENTS PAGE for full descriptions and links.

Fri, 11th July

09:00 🍫 A Chocolate Tasting Experience - Le Chocolatier
09:00 🌿 Bow Valley Nature Camp - NWMP Barracks
13:00 🎭 Theatre: The Wizard of Oz - Stan Rogers Stage at Centennial Park
17:00 ♻️ Full Moon Swap - Canmore Public Library
18:00 🎶 Live Music: Andy Loops - Rose & Crown
19:00 🎲 Friday Bingo - Canmore Legion
19:00 🎭 Theatre: Treasure Island - Stan Rogers Stage at Centennial Park
19:00 🎶 Live Music: The Barflyz - Mineshaft Tavern
19:30 🎶 Musical: Oh Anne! - Carter Ryan Theatre
21:00 🎶 Live Music: Maddisun - Tavern 1883
22:00 🎶 Music: Live On Stage - The Drake Inn
22:00 🎶 Live Music: Tyler Wood - Rose & Crown

Sat, 12th July

09:00 🍫 A Chocolate Tasting Experience - Le Chocolatier
09:30 🌸 Walk: Waterfalls and Wildflowers Kananaskis - Highway 40
10:00 ♻️ Full Moon Swap - Canmore Public Library
13:00 🎭 Theatre: The Wizard of Oz - Stan Rogers Stage at Centennial Park
13:15 🥃 Distillery Tour - Wild Life Distillery
14:00 ✂️ Craft Meet: Interstellar Lounge - Canmore Public Library
15:00 🎶 Musical: Oh Anne! - Carter Ryan Theatre
15:00 🎶 Live Music - Mike Petroff - Canmore Brewing Company
19:00 🎶 Live Music: Jamie Allanach - Rose & Crown
19:00 🎭 Theatre: Treasure Island - Stan Rogers Stage at Centennial Park
19:30 🎶 Musical: Oh Anne! - Carter Ryan Theatre
20:00 💃 Live Music: Unconditional Wub - Dance Party - artsPlace Canmore
21:00 🎶 Live Music: Maddisun - Tavern 1883
22:00 🎶 Music: Live On Stage - The Drake Inn
22:00 🎧 DJ Tenax - Rose & Crown

Sun, 13th July

09:00 🏃 Running: Canmore Revolver - Canmore Nordic Centre
13:00 🎭 Theatre: The Wizard of Oz - Stan Rogers Stage at Centennial Park
18:00 🎶 Live Music: Kayla Williams - Rose & Crown
19:00 🎭 Theatre: Treasure Island - Stan Rogers Stage at Centennial Park
19:30 🎶 Musical: Oh Anne! - Carter Ryan Theatre
20:00 🎵 Music Bingo with Sam - Tavern 1883
22:00 🎧 DJ Sets: Industry Sundays - Rose & Crown

Future Events

🎉 Want to see what’s coming up? OUR NEW EVENTS PAGE features a growing list of upcoming events, complete with descriptions and links.

🍺 Happy Hours & Food Specials 🍽️

Below are brief details of all the happy hours we could find in Canmore. For more information (including links to the venues), visit our dedicated Happy Hour Page.

🍕 Bridgette Bar (14:00-17:00, Daily)
🎯 Cangolf (20:00-Close, Thurs-Sun)
⛳ Canmore Golf & Curling Club (16:00-21:00, Daily)
🍸 Crazyweed Kitchen (14:00-17:00, Daily)
🍷 Fergus & Bix (14:30-17:30 & 21:00-Close, Daily)
🍽️ Kain Tayo (15:00-17:00, Daily)
🍕 Murrieta’s (14:00-17:00, Sun-Thurs)
🎶 Rhythm & Howl (16:00-18:00, Sun-Thur; 15:00-18:00, Fri & Sat)
🍻 Sheepdog Brewing (13:00-15:00, Mon-Fri)
🥂 Stirling Dining Room and Lounge (Malcolm Hotel) (12:00-17:00, Daily)
🍕 Tank310 (14:00-17:00, Sun-Fri)
🍹 Tavern 1883 (14:00-16:00, Sun-Fri)
🍔 The Bankhead Restaurant (14:00-17:00, Daily)
🍻 The Drake Pub (15:00-18:00, Sun-Fri)
🦞 The Drunken Lobster Oyster Bar (16:00-17:00, Wed-Sun)
🐾 The Grizzly Paw Brewing Co. (15:00-18:00, Mon-Fri)
🥃 The Mineshaft Tavern (14:00-18:00, Daily)
🍸 Wild Life Distillery (18:00-20:00, Mon-Fri)

👋 That’s All For Now 🎬

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