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Lighting For a Cause

The City of Medicine Hat's Lighting for a Cause program is an initiative designed to bolster community spirit while shining a light on important social causes.

Aligning with City Council's Strategic Plan, this unique program has three core objectives:
  • Promote awareness of meaningful social causes
  • Foster community spirit
  • Cultivate a sense of belonging

Together, we can brighten the lives of residents!

The City has two venues available to book. Rent one or both to promote your event/cause.

Saamis Tepee

Located along the Trans-Canada Highway

Towne Square

Situated in the heart of downtown

Guidelines

To be considered, all requests must be:

  • received via on-line application of the ‘Lighting for a Cause’ request form
  • completed by a management representative of the official organization making the request
  • received by the Community Development Department at least 30 days in advance of lighting date requested

Lighting will be considered for:

  • nondenominational events/causes
  • nonpolitical events/causes
  • registered charitable and not-for-profit events/causes

Lighting cannot be considered for:

  • personal occasions (e.g., birthdays, anniversaries)
  • political events or observances
  • religious figures, events, organizations or institutions
  • commercial requests (i.e., product launches, corporate events, advertising)

The City of Medicine Hat reserves the right to use discretion when determining if a cause is deemed eligible.

Saamis Tepee:

  • $100 per day (minimum) or $250 per week 

Towne Square:

  • $50 per day (minimum) or $150 per week 

Lighting time can span a duration from one day up to one week.

An approval of any illumination is at the sole discretion of the City of Medicine Hat and not subject to appeals or negotiation.

All requests will be evaluated based on meeting the above-mentioned guidelines as well as:

  • the nature of the cause
  • history and background of the organization, cause or event
  • how the lighting will be used to benefit the cause or event
  • marketing plan to educate the public on why Tepee is illuminated in colour

Applicants will receive an email response stating whether or not an application has been approved. Due to the high volume of applications, not all requests may be accommodated. Applications will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications may be submitted up to six months in advance.

The City of Medicine Hat wishes to stress that if an application is declined, it is not a reflection of the merits or importance of any requests.

If after reading the guidelines you are still uncertain if your project is eligible, please contact the Lighting for a Cause program administrator for clarity and assistance.

Lighting schedule

Saamis Tepee:

September 6, 2025 - BLUE
Prostate Cancer Foundation Canada
Light up for prostate cancer awareness. Last year over 200 landmarks and 300 homes were lit up to raise awareness.  

September 7, 2025 - GREEN
UHN Centre for Living Organ Donation
For those in need of a kidney or liver transplant, living organ donation may offer a shorter pathway to better health - providing faster access to transplant and a quicker recovery. Not enough Canadians know about this lifesaving option. The goals of Living Donation Week are to improve access to living kidney and living liver donation, celebrate living donors, transplant recipients and Team Transplant, provide hope and support to those currently waiting for a transplant and inspire more people to become living donors.

You can view our program for 2025 and recordings from 2024 at livingdonationweek.ca and Youtube.com/@givelifeuhn.

September 8-14, 2025 - RED
Southeast Alberta FASD Network 
Raising awareness of FASD and working towards its prevention. September 9th is International FASD awareness day.

September 30, 2025 - ORANGE 
To honour the lost children and survivors of residential schools, their families and communities. 

October 1, 2025 - RED
Redi Enterprises 

Disability Employment Awareness Month (DEAM), observed each October, promotes inclusion within the job market for people with disabilities. Join us in celebrating the skills, talents, and contributions of workers with disabilities across all industries, and highlighting the importance of removing barriers and creating inclusive employment environments where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.

October 5, 2025 - BLUE & GREEN
Alberta Veterinary Technologist Association (ABVTA)

Celebrating RVTs Registered Veterinary Technologists across Alberta for RVT Month by lighting up the Saamis Tepee and Towne Square an annual celebration recognizing the invaluable contributions of RVTs to Alberta’s animal health, public safety, and food chain integrity. These highly trained professionals provide essential care in clinics, shelters, and on farms, playing a pivotal role in everything from emergency and critical care for companion animals to herd health planning, disease prevention, and biosecurity in livestock operations. Their expertise not only enhances animal welfare but also promotes public health and sustainable agriculture, while their compassion and dedication support pet owners and livestock producers alike. By illuminating your landmark in these colors, your city would demonstrate its commitment to celebrating RVTs and supporting animal health across Alberta. 

In 2024, landmarks across Alberta, including the Calgary Tower, Sylvan Lake Light House, Medicine Hat’s Saamis Tepee, and Red Deer City Hall, were illuminated in recognition of RVT Month. This year, we hope to expand this celebration by partnering with the same communities and even more to honor the essential work of RVTs. By lighting up landmarks in vibrant blue and green, cities will not only pay tribute to the skill and dedication of RVTs but also inspire public awareness and appreciation for the critical role these professionals play in safeguarding animal health, supporting agriculture, and ensuring public safety. We can’t wait to make RVT Month shine in your community this year! 

October 11-15 and 17-19 - PINK & BLUE
Medicine Hat & District Health Foundation
Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day (PAILRD) is an annual day of remembrance that is observed in Canada on October 15. Throughout the week bereaved parents, their families and friends, unite with each other and others across the world to commemorate the lives of babies who died during pregnancy, at or soon after birth and in infancy. The walk to remember is Sunday, October 19.

October 16, 2025 - PURPLE & BLUE
Redi Enterprises 

Light It Up! N-DEAM is a national, one night coordinated awareness lighting event that happens on the third Thursday of every October, during National Disability Employment Awareness Month (N-DEAM). 

Join REDI in celebrating the skills, talents, and contributions of workers with disabilities, and highlighting the importance of removing barriers and creating inclusive employment environments where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.

Towne Square:

September 6, 2025 - BLUE
Prostate Cancer Foundation Canada
Light up for prostate cancer awareness. Last year over 200 landmarks and 300 homes were lit up to raise awareness.  

September 7, 2025 - GREEN
UHN Centre for Living Organ Donation
For those in need of a kidney or liver transplant, living organ donation may offer a shorter pathway to better health - providing faster access to transplant and a quicker recovery. Not enough Canadians know about this lifesaving option. The goals of Living Donation Week are to improve access to living kidney and living liver donation, celebrate living donors, transplant recipients and Team Transplant, provide hope and support to those currently waiting for a transplant and inspire more people to become living donors.

You can view our program for 2025 and recordings from 2024 at livingdonationweek.ca and Youtube.com/@givelifeuhn.

October 5, 2025 - BLUE & GREEN
Alberta Veterinary Technologist Association (ABVTA)

Celebrating RVTs Registered Veterinary Technologists across Alberta for RVT Month by lighting up the Saamis Tepee and Towne Square an annual celebration recognizing the invaluable contributions of RVTs to Alberta’s animal health, public safety, and food chain integrity. These highly trained professionals provide essential care in clinics, shelters, and on farms, playing a pivotal role in everything from emergency and critical care for companion animals to herd health planning, disease prevention, and biosecurity in livestock operations. Their expertise not only enhances animal welfare but also promotes public health and sustainable agriculture, while their compassion and dedication support pet owners and livestock producers alike. By illuminating your landmark in these colors, your city would demonstrate its commitment to celebrating RVTs and supporting animal health across Alberta. 

In 2024, landmarks across Alberta, including the Calgary Tower, Sylvan Lake Light House, Medicine Hat’s Saamis Tepee, and Red Deer City Hall, were illuminated in recognition of RVT Month. This year, we hope to expand this celebration by partnering with the same communities and even more to honor the essential work of RVTs. By lighting up landmarks in vibrant blue and green, cities will not only pay tribute to the skill and dedication of RVTs but also inspire public awareness and appreciation for the critical role these professionals play in safeguarding animal health, supporting agriculture, and ensuring public safety. We can’t wait to make RVT Month shine in your community this year! 

October 8, 2025 - Multi-coloured
Counselling Alberta

National Depression Screening Day (NDSD) is a free public service provided by Counselling Alberta and Calgary Counselling Centre since 2005. Each year, during the week of NDSD, Albertans can take a free, anonymous online quiz at areyoufeelingok.com to check for symptoms of depression. While the quiz doesn’t offer a diagnosis, it highlights signs of depression and refers users for further support if needed. 

The quiz encourages people to check in with their mental health and reaches those who may be struggling but haven’t yet sought help. Early treatment leads to faster, more effective results. 
Counselling Alberta works with community groups and businesses to raise awareness and promote participation.

In 2024, 2,498 Albertans completed the quiz, with 64% advised to seek further evaluation. This year, NDSD will run from October 6 to 12, 2025 with the official day on Thursday, October 9. 

Parks

88 Kipling Street SE
Medicine Hat, Alberta
T1A 1Y3
P: 403-529-8333
F: 403-529-8254
Email us

Recreation

2000 Division Ave N
Medicine Hat, Alberta
T1C 1X9
403-502-8566
Email us

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