It was a night of the community coming together to support one another as Rocky Mountain House celebrated Denim and Diamonds on March 6 at the Lou Soppit Community Centre.
More than two dozen awards and bursaries were presented by the Town of Rocky Mountain House, Clearwater County, the Rocky Chamber and the Rocky Agricultural Society.
Rocky Mountain House Mayor Shane Boniface says it is always an inspiring night.
“It was a fantastic night. It was well attended. Seeing so many of our community builders, and members of the business and farming communities here — it doesn’t get any better,” he said. “Rocky supports itself and others.”
Yellowhead MP William Stevenson says it is important for business leaders to have nights such as Denim and Diamonds.
“As a Chartered Professional Accountant working with businesses for the past 26 years, I know the struggles required to make a successful business,” he said. “It’s very good to have their hard work recognized.”
He added that while much of the news about business and the economy can be negative, it is good to have a night that highlights the positive side.
When it comes to supporting one another, MLA Jason Nixon had high praise for the Rocky community.
“I can tell you without a doubt — and I’m not just saying that because I live here — I do not see the same level of effort in every community in the province,” said Nixon. “It’s something you should be very proud of in Rocky Mountain House and Clearwater County.”
Emcee Paul Brandt had the crowd laughing with entertaining tales from his music career and even picked up the guitar to perform his hits My Heart Has a History and Alberta Bound.
The full list of winners:
Rocky Ag Society
Bursary winners:
Gracie Klooster
Oliver Forsyth
Nichole Robertson
Grethe Winchill
Whitney Vandermeer
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Rocky Ag Society Member of the Year: Cheryl Terpsma
Cheryl Terpsma won the 2026 Rocky Ag Society ‘Member of the Year’ award. (94.5 Rewind Radio/Jordan Rein)
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Rocky Ag Society Young Famer award: Anne Melnyk
Anne Melnyk was named 2026 ‘Young Famer of the Year’ by the Rocky Ag Society at the 2026 Denim and Diamonds ceremony. (94.5 Rewind Radio/Jordan Rein)
Town of Rocky Mountain House
Youth civic award: Jackson Gray
Jackson Gray was named as the winner for the town of Rocky Mountain House’s ‘Youth Civic Award’ at the 2026 Denim and Diamonds ceremony. (94.5 Rewind Radio/Jordan Rein)
Distinguished volunteer service: Nichole Robertson
Nichole Robertson receiving the ‘Distinguished Volunteer Service Award’ from the town of Rocky Mountain House, March 6, 2026. (94.5 Rewind Radio/Jordan Rein)
Athletic and Sports Excellence: Rocky Peewee Jr. Rebels football team
Coaching staff from the 2025 Rocky Jr. Rebels Peewee football team accepting the Athletic and Sports Excellence Award, March 6, 2026. (94.5 Rewind Radio/Jordan Rein)
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David Thompson Country
Business of the Year: Aurum Lodge
Aurum Lodge won David Thompson Country’s ‘Business of the Year’ at the 2026 Denim and Diamonds awards ceremony. (94.5 Rewind Radio/Jordan Rein)
Heart of Healthcare Award
Winner: Aggie Cowan
Aggie Cowan was the 2026 winner of the ‘Heart of Healthcare’ award at the 2026 Denim and Diamonds awards ceremony. (94.5 Rewind Radio/Jordan Rein)
Clearwater County
Rural Beautification Award, Farm Category: Jesse and Madison Nutting
Jesse and Madison Nutting were named the winners of Clearwater County’s Rural Beautification (farm category) award. (94.5 Rewind Radio/Jordan Rein)
Rural Beautification Award, Acreage Category: Cliff and Pauline Calvert
Cliff and Pauline Calvert were the 2026 winners of Clearwater County’s Rural Beautification (acreage category) award for 2026. (94.5 Rewind Radio/Jordan Rein)
Rural Beautification Award, Subdivision Category: Henk and Karin Nijenhuis
Henk and Karin Nijenhuis were named as the 2026 winners of Clearwater County’s Rural Beautification Awards (subdivision category). (94.5 Rewind Radio/Jordan Rein)
Farm Family Award: The Lobley Family
The Lobleys accepting Clearwater County’s 2025 Farm Family Award at the 2026 Denim and Diamonds Awards ceremony in Rocky Mountain House. (94.5 Rewind Radio/Jordan Rein)
Environmental Stewardship: Doug and Deb Skeels
Doug and Deb Skeels won the Environmental Stewardship Award (individual) at the 2026 Denim and Diamonds ceremony. (94.5 Rewind Radio/Jordan Rein)
Sustainable Grazing Award: Dylan and Sierra Berg
Dylan and Sierra Berg are the winners of Clearwater County’s 2025 Sustainable Grazing Award. (94.5 Rewind Radio/Jordan Rein)
Century Farm Award: Roger and Bonita Bott
The Withrow area farm family of Roger and Bonita Bott received the 2025 Century Farm award from Clearwater County at the Denim and Diamonds awards gala, March 6, 2026. (94.5 Rewind Radio/Jordan Rein)
Rocky Chamber
Business of the Year (1-15 employees): The Plant Ranch
The Plant Ranch is the winner of The Rocky Chamber’s Business of the Year (1-15 employee category). (94.5 Rewind Radio/Jordan Rein)
Business of the Year (15 plus employees): Paramount Resources
Paramount Resources was named as Rocky Chamber’s Business of the Year (15-plus employee category). (94.5 Rewind Radio/Jordan Rein)
Customer Service Award: Laurie Wade: Flinn Funeral Services
Laurie Wade with Flinn Funeral Services in Rocky Mountain House won the Customer Service award from the Rocky Chamber at the 2026 Denim and Diamonds Award ceremony. (94.5 Rewind Radio/Jordan Rein)
Community Builder Award: Loyal Ma
Longtime Rocky resident Loyal Ma was awarded the Rocky Chamber’s Community Builder Award at the 2026 Denim and Diamonds award ceremony. (94.5 Rewind Radio/Jordan Rein)
Excellence in Marketing: BJ’s Pub
BJ’s Pub in Rocky Mountain House won the Rocky Chamber’s 2025 Excellence in Marketing award. (94.5 Rewind Radio/Jordan Rein)
Business Resiliency: Full Throttle Diesel
Full Throttle Diesel was named the winner of the 2025 Business Resiliency Award at the 2026 Denim and Diamonds ceremony, March 6, 2026. (94.5 Rewind Radio/Jordan Rein)
New Business of the Year: Rocky Wolf Ranch
Rocky Wolf Ranch was named New Business of the Year at the Denim and Diamonds award ceremony, March 6, 2026. (94.5 Rewind Radio/Jordan Rein)
Philanthropy of the Year Award: Rocky Mountain Bike Park Society
The Rocky Mountain Bike Park Society won the Philanthropic award at the 2026 Denim and Diamonds awards ceremony. (94.5 Rewind Radio/Jordan Rein)
Discover Rocky Tourism Award: Rocky Mountain Chuckwagon Association
Discover Rocky’s 2025 Tourism Award is accepted by Lillian Hay of the Rocky Mountain House Chuckwagon Association. (94.5 Rewind Radio/Jordan Rein)
Long Term Business Award: Caine’s Jewellers
Caine’s Jewelers won the Long Term Business award at the 2026 Denim and Diamonds awards ceremony in Rocky Mountain House. (94.5 Rewind Radio/Jordan Rein)
Following the ceremony, the packed house at the Lou Soppit Community Centre enjoyed the new after party with music from the Amber Williams Band, and a raffle that included a 65″ TV from the Brick in Rocky Mountain House.
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