The Canadian Badlands Passion Play has been associated with Drumheller as a tourist attraction for 21 years, and the play kicks off this year with a  new change. The Passion Play will be adding a third weekend onto their shows in July.
    Weekend performances will take place from the 11th through the 27th. The Passion Play’s new times will be able to provide more accessibility for viewers who may not have been able to make the original dates.
    Vance Neudorf, executive director of the Passion Play, has been listening to the feedback from critics and decided  to extend the show times based on the comments.
    “We did this because we wanted to meet the requests of the people who watch us,” says Neudorf, “We also wanted to extend past the Calgary Stampede in order to bring in more demographics from around Alberta. It’s an experiment, so we’ll see how it goes.”
    Since it’s inception, over 250,000 people have witnessed the Passion Play, making it the biggest production in North America.  Though the three hour show may seem like a stretch, producers promise the play is worth it and the time goes by quickly.
    “There are different reasons to see the show. Sometimes it’s because it’s part of their faith, a part of the fabric of who they are. But the experience really comes alive.” Neudorf explains. “The time will go by quickly. As you’re following along, there’s so much stuff going on. It keeps you captivated.”

A two day experience, Motorcycle Madness, is a weekend adventure for any motorcycle enthusiasts hoping to show off, burn out, or check in.
    Motorcycle Madness has changed venues for it’s 11th year. Instead of  having the events on Centre Street Drumheller,  the community of Wayne will be  hosting for the motorcycle themed fun. 
    Kicking off the event on the evening of Friday July 11th, the cyclists will attend a meet and greet at Drumheller’s Yavis’ Lounge. Afterwards, they will head out on a ride to East Coulee for the annual steak supper. On the following Saturday morning, the day’s activities will start in Wayne near the Last Chance Saloon. The Show and Shine will be first, and any interested in entering their bikes in the contest are encouraged to participate in the fun. Judges are lined up and prize money awaits the winners. Throughout the rest of the day there will be various ongoing activities. Organizers urge motorcyclists to come to Wayne to enjoy the fun; go for a slow race, a joust, burnout in the pit, or take part in the wienie bite!
    Terry Kuhl, an organizer of Motorcycle Madness, is especially looking forward to this event.
    “I like all of it. There isn’t really one part of it that I like better than the other,” Kuhl says. “The Show and Shine is always nice. Every year you get a different group of people, so you get different bikes and so it’s always unique. I look forward to that. I look forward to people coming out of town and hooking up with the locals who come on an annual basis. I enjoy the rides.. it’s all fun.”
    Any money collected through volunteers, activity fees, and donations around town is awarded in two ways: contest winners for the various activities will receive cash prizes. The remainder of the money is donated to a choice charity. Over the years, the money raised from this event has ranged up to $2,500.
    “We do the event for two reasons. We promote motorcycle tourism in Drumheller, and we also want to give some money to a needed charity,” says Kuhl.
    Event organizers and volunteers urge locals and out-of-town visitors  who are interested in bikes and good times to come out for the 11th and 12th and join in on the craze.