CALGARY - Canadian Rockies: Including Banff and Jasper National Parks - page 463

FESTIVALS AND EVENTS
Fall
In October, hockey and skiing and snowboarding fever hits the city as the NHL Calgary
Flames start their season and the first snow flies. Late September-early October sees
screenings of movies during the Calgary International Film Festival (403/283-1490,
www.calgaryfilm.com ) at the historic Plaza Theater in Kensington and at the Globe
Theatre and Cineplex at Eau Claire Market. This is followed by Wordfest (403/237-9068,
www.wordfest.com ) , where authors talk about their books, workshops are given, and many
readings take place at venues throughout the city and in Banff. As Halloween approaches,
a good place for kids is the Calgary Zoo (403/232-9300, www.calgaryzoo.org ) , where
there are Boo at the Zoo celebrations after dark through late October.
Winter
Although severely curtailed by the weather, Calgarians enjoy the winter with the opening
of the theater, ballet, and opera seasons. National and international ski-jumping, luge, and
bobsledding events are held at Canada Olympic Park November-March.
Spring
Calgary International Children's Festival (403/294-7414, www.calgarychildfest.org ) is
the third week of May. Events include theater, puppetry, and performances by musicians
from around the world. It's held in the Epcor Centre for the Performing Arts and Olympic
Plaza. Olympic Plaza comes alive with the sights, sounds, and tastes of the Caribbean in
the first week of June for Carifest (403/774-1300, www.carifestcalgary.com ) .
Summer
Few cities in the world are associated as closely with an event as Calgary is with the Cal-
gary Stampede (403/261-0101 or 800/661-1260, www.calgarystampede.com ) . Held each
summer in July, the Stampede features an outdoor rodeo and chuck wagon races, as well as
a gigantic midway with numerous attractions and displays. A grandstand show with fire-
works caps off each day.
Canada Day is celebrated on July 1 in Prince's Island Park, Fort Calgary, the zoo,
and Heritage Park. The Calgary Folk Music Festival (403/233-0904,
www.calgaryfolkfest.com ) , during the last weekend of July, is an indoor and outdoor ex-
travaganza of Canadian and international performers that centers on Prince's Island Park.
The first full week of August, and also at this downtown riverfront park, is Afrikadey!