The FireFit season wrapped up for the year and Drumheller athletes all posted their best times ever at nationals.
    It was a unique competition year for Drumheller FireFit athletes, who were able to gain great experience on the official course. In the spring, they were able to compete in Calgary at a regional competition and then on September 10 and 11, the department hosted a regional event in the shadow of the World’s Largest Dinosaur. In all, 10 members of the Drumheller Fire Department competed at the local event.
    The very next weekend five members of the Drumheller Fire Department went to the National Championships at Spruce Meadows in Calgary. Duane Bolin, Darby Page, and Merv, Kyle and Mitch Smith took on nationals.
    “With nationals, five of us went, and all five of us ran our personal bests,” said Deputy Chief and competitor Duane Bolin. “That is pretty amazing to do that.”
    While they all posted stellar individual times, the crew won the fastest team for a volunteer fire department in the relay race.
    The team of Duane Bolin and Merv Smith won gold in the over 50 XD competition. Bolin also won silver in the Chief’s category.
    Bolin attributes the top times to the experience on course.
    “A lot of it is course management. The more you can be on the real course, the better off you are,” he said, adding the new additions to the team might be pushing them.
    “When you get a couple young guys on the team, maybe they push the old guys a little faster,” chuckles Bolin. “We were all super happy with the results. When you can finish the season off like that, you look forward to next year.”
    TSN will be airing the national competition in November.

    This  Saturday downtown Drumheller is being transformed into a celebration of the arts.
     Alberta Culture Days are September 30 to October 2. These are a time to discover, and experience the arts in all their forms. Drumheller is participating this year as members of the community have been working together to organize a “Pop-Up Arts and Culture Showcase” on Saturday, October 1, from 1p.m. to 5p.m.
    The event will see various artists and entertainers temporarily set up in the storefronts of vacant buildings throughout downtown Drumheller. These artists and performers will be either displaying their works for public viewing or, if possible, providing ways for the public to actively engage in the creation of art pieces, such as painting and pottery sculpting.
    The public is invited to stroll around the downtown to take in the displays and performances for free, and to participate in activities like sidewalk-chalk art. Local musicians will be performing on the sidewalks, and warm beverages will be offered in some of the spaces as well. The aim of the Showcase, in keeping with the goals of Alberta Culture Days, is to celebrate the wealth of talent and creativity that exists within our community.
     “From rodeos to dinosaur bones to Alberta’s ‘Cool little towns,’ Southern Alberta has a rich heritage that attracts visitors from around the world. Alberta Culture Days is a fantastic opportunity to highlight the art and history that makes Southern Alberta special.” -Ricardo Miranda, Minister of Culture and Tourism
     This event is a collaboration between the Drumheller and District Chamber of Commerce, the Canadian Badlands Artists Association and other local artists. It is made possible thanks to the provincial government’s Alberta Culture Days Grant, the Town of Drumheller’s Arts & Culture Grant, and Century 21 for providing space for the artists and activities.
     The Pop-Up Arts & Culture Showcase is part of the celebrations occurring throughout the province during Alberta Culture Days 2016. Alberta Culture Days, September 30 – October 2, is about discovering, experiencing and celebrating our unique blend of peoples and passions, and the importance of culture to a healthy and vibrant province. To learn more, visit www.AlbertaCultureDays.ca