Residents of Rocky Mountain House are invited to kick off summer holidays this year with a full day of free outdoor fun at the town’s first-ever Spring Into Summer event, set for Sunday, June 29.

Running from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Curtis Field oval, the new event is organized by the Rocky Mountain House Community Events Committee.

“It’s all about getting the community outside and active,” said Tina Hutchinson, chair of the committee. “June is Recreation and Parks Month across Alberta, so we thought this would be a great time to bring everyone together and celebrate.”

The event will feature three inflatable obstacle courses, including a 100-foot dual-track racecourse for some friendly competition, as well as a toddler castle with a flying ball pit. A variety of lawn games are planned, including tug-of-war and parachute for kids, alongside a giant bubble station and bike decorating zone. Children will also have the chance to show off their creatively decorated bikes in a short parade around the oval.

A face painter will also be on site.

“We hope we’ve covered it for every age planning to attend,” says Hutchinson.

A free barbecue with cake, drinks and other refreshments will be available to all attendees.

Hutchinson said organizers chose to hold the event on a Sunday to make it more accessible to those who work on Saturdays, and to not conflict with established Canada Day celebrations a few days after. “We’re hoping to fill that gap before people head off on holidays,” she said.

The committee hopes to make Spring Into Summer an annual tradition, and Hutchinson hinted at the possibility of bigger additions in future years, including a potential revival of an old favorite— Rocky’s soapbox derby.

“Were hoping to make it bigger and better in future years,” says Hutchinson.

The next event on the committee’s calendar is Alberta Day on Aug. 31. Last year marked the town’s first official celebration of the provincial holiday. This year’s event will include daytime family activities at Helen Hunley Park and an outdoor movie screening at the oval in the evening.

She adds, 2024 Alberta Day celebrations had a great turnout, with around 300 people taking part.