Nearby Attractions: Medicine Hat Attractions
Return to: SE of Calgary, towns around Calgary
The name of Medicine Hat originated from a great battle between the Cree and the
Blackfoot on the banks of a nearby river. The Cree fought bravely until their
medicine man deserted them, losing his headdress in midstream. Seeing this as a
bad omen the warriors put down their weapons and were slaughtered by the Blackfoot.
The site was known thereafter as "Saamis," which translates as the medicine man's hat.
The city sites on an underground aquifer which provides the city unlimited cool
water. The city also sits on 20 billion cubic metres of natural gas, which caused
Rudyard Kipling to comment that the community has "all hell for a basement".
The gas from this field supplied the fast-growing city of Calgary with gas (though a 300 kilometre pipeline built by Canadian Western Natural Gas Company, now ATCO Gas) until other reserves were found around the province.
Today, Medicine Hat has about 45,000 residents (they call themselves "Hatters"), with a diverse economy. The huge nearby Suffield military base (just tot he west of town) is used to train Canada's and NATO allies' tank forces. The city offers great recreation with the riverside parklands and Echo Dale Park. Medicine Hat also has waterslides (on the west end of town) as well as indoor ones at the Medicine Hat Lodge, and several other family amusements. The town hosts the Medicine Hat Stampede early each August. The city has two major shopping areas, Medicine Hat Mall on Dunsmore Rd S.E, and Southview Shopping Centre on 6th Ave S.E.
Official City web site: http://www.city.medicine-hat.ab.ca/
FoundLocally's
Business listings for Medicine Hat
Annual Events
Agventure and Pro Rodeo | mid March | Agricultural show and spring rodeo. 403-527-1234
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Spectrum Festival | End May | Riverside Park
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George Ross Memorial Rodeo | Early June | Foremost Rodeo Grounds
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Redcliff Days | mid June | Town of Redcliff
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Bow Island Bean Pot Festival & Rodeo | End June | Town of Bow Island
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Bassano Amateur Roeo | End June | Bassano Rodeo Grounds
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Western Stock Growers Centennial Cattle Drive | Late July | Buffalo to Medicine Hat
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Statmpede Chili Cookoff | Late July | Downtown Medicine Hat
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Medicine Hat Stampede | End July | Second largest rodeo in Canada, run since 1887. Complete with parade, evening shows, livestock and art shows, petting farm and midway. 403-527-1234
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Antelope Country Fair | Early Aug | Town of Foremost
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Patricia Rodeo | End Aug | Patricia Rodeo Grounds
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Downtown Midinight Madness | Early Dec | Singing Christmas Tree, Choral Christmas Card & nativity pageant. Downtown Medicine Hat
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