Neat to Know: July 17, 2025
Your weekly roundup of City news, updates, and other important information.
Stampede parade
Just one week until the Stampede parade takes over downtown Medicine Hat! The parade is Thursday, July 24 at 9 a.m. Check out their route at the link below.
Please note that there will be road closures along the parade route and marshalling area. These road closures will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. on parade day.
We look forward to celebrating downtown with you - don't forget your sunscreen and water!
Check out all the stampede week events on the Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede’s website.
Municipal Matters – Medicine Hat Transit
Our Manager of Transit Services, Gordon Dykstra, had the opportunity to share what goes into developing and maintaining a transit system for our most recent edition of Municipal Matters in the Medicine Hat News.
Public transportation systems are a surprisingly complex process that take a large, dedicated team at Medicine Hat Transit to come to fruition. Read the full article below!
Tot Time now free for families at BMGC
We’ve made an exciting change to our Tot Time program at Big Marble Go Centre thanks to our sponsor, Big Marble Farms. Through their continued sponsorship we are thrilled to announce Tot Time, our parent-supervised, tot-friendly, play space is now available to all families for FREE!
This beloved program is designed for children 6 and under and runs 7 days per week. This move is part of our goal of providing low-to-no cost recreation activities for all ages within our community and promoting health, physical activity and learning.
Day Cares and Day Homes are welcome to utilize the program at a flat fee of $25 for a maximum of 10 children. Just check in with Customer Service and enjoy!
Plan your next visit! Find all drop-in and program schedules below.
International Youth Day
Tuesday, August 12 | 1 to 4 p.m. | Big Marble Go Centre
We’re excited to be partnering for an exciting slate of FREE programming for International Youth Day!
Youth aged 8 to 17 can enjoy FREE Medicine Hat Transit access all day.
They’re encouraged to head down to Big Marble Go Centre to take part in:
- Nerf Wars
- Foam Party
- Slip and Slide
- Pickleball
- Giant Parachute
- Community Fair
- Sensory Room
- And more!
And, enjoy FREE swimming at Crestwood Pool as well.
Rooftop Silent Disco
Saturday, August 9 | 9:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. | Esplanade
Get ready to dance under the stars—Medicine Hat’s favourite rooftop party is back, and there is still time to get tickets!
The Esplanade’s Rooftop Silent Disco returns, bringing back unbeatable vibes with three live DJs blasting music through your wireless headphones, and the best city views to match the beats. It’s your chance to dance the night away in one of the most unique party settings in town.
This year, we’re turning it up a notch:
🕐 Party later—now running until 1 a.m.
👟 More people to dance with—capacity increased to 200
🎧 Pick your vibe—three channels of live music to choose from
Tickets are flying fast on Tixx.ca, so don’t wait – this is the hottest ticket of the summer!
Historic Walking Tours
Every Saturday until September 27 | 10 to 11 a.m.
Medicine Hat is home to a rich, vibrant history, that residents and visitors have an incredible, immersive opportunity to learn about!
We have three engaging Historic Walking Tours available every Saturday until September 27!
- First Street SE
- First Street SW
- Railroad District
Each walking tour comes with a complimentary guide, and offers unique looks back at prominent moments, stories, and figures from the past.
Don't miss this chance to step back in time and experience Medicine Hat's history in a whole new way!
Learn more about each tour and get your tickets below.
1 Street SW closure – water main installation
Our Harlow and Noble Parks Restoration Project is progressing nicely!
Crews will begin installing a new water main through the parks starting Monday, July 21. This will require the closure of a small section of 1 Street SW.
1 Street SW between Red Deer Drive SW and the entrance to Windmill Garden Centre will be closed until Friday, August 8, weather permitting. Motorists will be able to still access this roadway and business throughout this work.
Detour signage will be place throughout this closure. Motorists are asked to please obey all posted signage.
Thank you for your patience and understanding – we look forward to completing this necessary infrastructure upgrade as part of this project!
Hill Yeah! recap
The rain didn't dampen your spirits Monday at our Hill Yeah! Park & Pool Party!
Hundreds of people braved the rain for a dip in the pool and a fresh burger or hotdog off the grill. Our clothes and shoes may still be drying off, but we couldn't have asked for more of a fun celebration on the Hill!
Thankfully we were able to move skateboarding, yard games and snow cones inside to the Moose Rec Centre to give us all a break from that much needed downpour.
A big thanks to the community groups and Division Avenue businesses who participated in the event, and to all those who attended. We loved the opportunity to spend an evening with all of you!
Check out event photos below courtesy of Randy Feere.
Invasive Weed of the Week
Working to overpower Bellflower
We’re into the second Invasive Weed of the Week feature! Last week we profiled Leafy Spurge in this five-week series highlighting noxious invasive plant species that our IPM program works to control and reduce in Medicine Hat. Up next:
Creeping Bellflower
Plant facts:
- This perennial was introduced from Europe as an ornamental.
- Roots can travel under fences, through lawns and even under sidewalks and concrete.
- It can survive periods of drought and tolerates a range of light conditions.
- It can produce over 3,000 seeds per year, and it can still produce seeds without pollination.
- It forms extensive root systems, and can form new plants from small root pieces left in the soil.
Why do we control this weed?
- Its resilience and resistance make it extremely invasive.
- It can quickly overtake native species in nature, and residential lawns, gardens, and flowerbeds.
Hardy and hard to remove
As noted, Creeping Bellflower is frustratingly resilient. Several common removal techniques are off the table:
- Currently, no selective herbicides are registered to use on it. Only glyphosate-based herbicides are effective, which would kill any plant it’s sprayed on.
- Grazing and cultivation are not considered options
- There are no known biological control techniques.
How do we control it?
- Hand-pulling, or cutting and bagging flower spikes pre-bloom can be an option for preventing seed production. However, the plant will re-sprout from its creeping root system.
- Digging out as much of the roots system as possible can be successful, but will require several years of work.
How can you help prevent its spread?
- Wildflower seed mixes may contain Creeping bellflower. Do not purchase wildflower mixes that do not list the contents.
Want to learn more?
Read more about Creeping Bellflower on the Alberta Invasive Species Council’s website.
Why vote?
Over the coming weeks, we’ll explore some of the compelling reasons why participating in your local municipal election is crucial.
Municipal governments shape your daily life.
In Alberta, local governments are responsible for services that have a direct and immediate impact on your daily lives, such as roads, public transit, waste management, water services, emergency response, parks, and recreation facilities. By electing local school board trustees, your vote can also influence our community’s youth on a daily basis. These are the services closest to you, and often those that matter most, so have your say by voting for candidates you believe in.
Medicine Hat’s municipal election is Monday, October 20, 2025.
To view all our career opportunities at the City of Medicine Hat, visit our website and sign up for job alerts.
Transit Operator/Service Worker
This is a temporary position, with casual hours, but it's also a unique opportunity to join the City of Medicine Hat team, gain valuable experience, and be part of a supportive workplace that truly makes a difference in the community.
This dual role combines the responsibilities of both a Transit Operator and a Service Worker.
As a Transit Operator, you will safely operate various transit vehicles, ensuring a courteous and respectful experience for passengers and other road users.
As a Service Worker, you will perform essential manual tasks, including cleaning and preparing buses, as well as providing temporary backup for Transit Operators.
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Contact Us
Media Relations
580 1 St SE
Medicine Hat, Alberta
T1A 8E6
403-529-8100
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