For the Townsman
Start growing your mustaches now, because Sam Steele Days 2016 will be held June 16-19 in Cranbrook. The festival celebrates Sam Steele, a legendary figure in the Canadian west who made a major impact on the history of the Kootenay region. Every year, Sam returns for Sam Steele days to celebrate with games and events for the whole family.
"We are so pleased with how engaged with Sam Steele Days the community has become and are excited about planning this year's festival," says Christy Wheeldon, Chair of the Sam Steele Society.
While the event is family friendly, some festival goers may have taken that concept a little too seriously last year. Sam Steele himself provided comment on the festival named after him, in a press release issued by the Society.
"I'm told Cranbrook welcomed 11 new residents within a 24-hour period March 9," Steele said. "While I'm very proud to welcome all the new babies, I was shocked to realize last year's event was held just nine months before.
"I was certainly hoping this would be a family-friendly event, but some seemed to take me too literally."
Sam Steele Day's is growing in size and momentum and every year, and Sam's excited to see these new babies at the festival. This year's festival will include a market, parade, talent show, Community Theater and plenty of live music, as well as food and drinks from local vendors. Sports lovers can participate in a ball game, game of disc golf, bocce ball tournament, beach volleyball tournament and strongman competition.
Kids can enjoy the inflatable funland, story time, go kart rides and more. The event also will feature wiener dog races—although we are considering a less-provocative name after being alerted to high levels of "hanky panky" sparked by the festival last year.
Additional events and details will be announced in the coming months. For more information, visit www.samsteeledays.org.