Planning for the annual Crowsnest Pass Doors Open and Heritage Festival is underway.

The 16th annual festival will be held July 27-August 2, 2021.

While the Covid-19 pandemic poses challenges for the traditional festival to take place, the committee is planning this year’s festival with both virtual and possible in person events.
This year’s theme is “Crowsnest Music: Turtle Mountain Toe-Tapper” and is inspired by the history of music in the Crowsnest Pass.

2021 marks the 100th Anniversary of the Blairmore Bandstand.

Located in Gazebo Park on Blairmore’s main street, the bandstand has provided a space for not only band and other musical performances but also for sports events and many rallies over the years.

Currently, the festival committee is planning a series of recorded virtual concerts featuring local musicians, artists, comedians, dancers, poets, writers, and storytellers.

The committee is also planning for possible outdoor and indoor concerts featuring these same artists if Covid restrictions are lifted before the event.

In a release to the public, the committee states they would invite any input regarding the potential indoor and outdoor activities.

“The festival committee would appreciate receiving input and suggestions from community individuals, organizations and groups for possible indoor and outdoor Covid compliant events celebrating our community’s unique cultural and natural heritage.”

The release also states that any individual or groups who would be interested in taking part in the festival can reach out to the committee.

“Also, the committee would appreciate hearing from any individual or groups who would be interested in participating or performing in any of the recorded virtual concerts the committee is planning.”

The committee says that with the current uncertainty of planning specific events, they would like to promote outdoor activities that can be done with individual families.

“Given the uncertainty of planning public in-person events due to Covid 19, the Doors Open and Heritage Festival will also be promoting individual and family outdoor activities including historical downtown walking and driving tours; heritage hikes; and outdoor heritage attractions such as Leitch Collieries, Frank Slide Trail, Crowsnest Community Trail, UROC Bike Park, Miners Path, Hillcrest Mine Disaster Memorial Park and Coleman National Historic Site.”

Anyone interested in hosting an event, participating in one of the concerts or learning more about Crowsnest Pass Doors Open and Heritage Festival 2021, can contact Cathy Pisony at cathy.pisony@gov.ab.ca or by phoning 403-562-7388.

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