Residents and visitors are invited to celebrate 40 years of Cow Lake Campground during a free community event on June 27.

The celebration will feature family activities, face painting, food trucks and a drone light show at dusk.

One of the organizers, Darrell Cinnamon, said visitors can expect two musical drone light shows featuring the logos of sponsors supporting the campground’s 40th anniversary.

The drone show will replace the campground’s longstanding Canada Day fireworks display, which Cinnamon said was not possible this year.

The campground has undergone significant changes since opening in 1986. Cinnamon said there was originally a single entrance on the north end of the lake and a small day-use area.

Over time, the campground expanded from an oil and gas lease road into a major recreation destination. Community members, including Neil Speight and late, former MLA Jack Campbell, helped develop early campground facilities and a boat launch.

Today, the campground features 126 campsites, three large group sites, a nine-hole mini-golf course and other amenities.

Recent additions include 40 powered campsites, a walking trail to the Cow Lake Store and upgraded washroom facilities.

Future plans include additional gazebos, expanded trails, bridges, playground upgrades and the continued replacement of older wooden washrooms with modern facilities. The mini-golf course could also be expanded to 18 holes.

“Summer’s so short, we want to get as much out there for the campers as possible,” he says.

All anniversary events are free. Family activities for campers begin at 1 p.m., while spectators and the general public are encouraged to arrive around 7 p.m. to check out recent upgrades and enjoy the drone show. Visitors are asked to bring their own lawn chairs.

Cow Lake Campground is located about 15 minutes southwest of Rocky Mountain House off Highway 752.