August Newsletter, 2026

Happy Heritage Day Ward 2! 

July was a busy and memorable month across our community. From Stampede celebrations to local events, our team had the chance to connect with many of you, whether it was over a game of cornhole or handing out bubbles at neighbourhood gatherings. I always appreciate these opportunities to hear your perspectives and spend time together in community.

As we head into August, we’re looking ahead to another month of connection and activity. In this edition, you’ll find a few important updates and reminders, along with a lineup of great events hosted by your local community associations. We hope to see you out enjoying everything Ward 2 has to offer in the weeks ahead.

Foxtail Barley Awareness

As we move through the peak of summer, foxtail barley is now coming to seed across many parts of Ward 2. This native grass plays a role in our local ecosystem, but it can pose risks to pets, as the sharp seed heads can become embedded in fur or skin.

City Council recently supported removing the $500 fine related specifically to foxtail barley on private property. This change reflects the reality that the City itself is a significant source of spread and that enforcement should be fair and practical. However, it is important to note that the Community Standards Bylaw remains in effect, requiring property owners to keep grass and weeds below 15 cm.

Residents are encouraged to manage foxtail barley on their property where possible, especially as it seeds and spreads easily. Safe removal methods include pulling the plant and disposing of it in your black (garbage) bin, or carefully applying boiling water to kill it at the root. Avoid placing it in green bins to prevent further spread.

If you notice significant outbreaks on City-owned land, please report the location to 311 so it can be tracked and addressed.

While eradication is not currently feasible, awareness is key. Pet owners in particular should remain cautious when visiting naturalized areas where foxtail barley is present.

A Brief History of Heritage Day

Heritage Day has been a cherished tradition in Alberta since 1974, when it was first established by the provincial government under Premier Peter Lougheed. The holiday was created to recognize and celebrate the diverse cultural heritage of Albertans, reflecting the province’s growth as a home for people from many backgrounds and traditions.

Early celebrations included multicultural concerts at Fort Edmonton Park, and by 1976, the Edmonton Heritage Festival began to take shape. That year, a dozen ethnocultural communities came together in Hawrelak Park to share their food, art, and traditions, an event that has since grown into one of Alberta’s largest cultural celebrations.

While Heritage Day is not a statutory holiday, it remains widely observed across the province on the first Monday of August, this year on Monday, August 3, 2026. Over the decades, it has become an opportunity for communities to come together, reflect on shared history, and celebrate the rich cultural diversity that defines Alberta.

Looking for ways to celebrate? Here’s where you can join the festivities in Calgary:

• City Services: Heritage Day 2026 (Information regarding what city services will be operating over this holiday)
• Things to Do This Heritage Day-August Long Weekend in Calgary
  • Annual Heritage Day Festival, Eau Claire Plaza (12:00pm-6:00pm)
  • Heritage Day Tea, Heritage Park (11:30am-3:30pm)
  • Tour de Bowness Race + Festival (9:00am-5:00pm)
  • Days of Yore, Heritage Park (August 1 & 2)

As always, my office is open if you have any questions or concerns. You can reach us at ward2@calgary.ca. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

- Jennifer

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Community Spotlight

Want to be a part of making your community stronger? Whether you live in Evanston, Kincora, Citadel, or Ranchlands, your local Community Association is an integral part of bringing neighbours together through annual events, programs, and local advocacy.

Visit our Community Hub to learn how to connect with your Community Association and sign up for your membership today. 

Stampede 2026

During Stampede, my team and I had the wonderful opportunity to visit many of Ward 2’s vibrant communities for a series of neighbourhood BBQs and community breakfasts. These gatherings are a true highlight of the season, and I’m grateful for the warm invitations to join in the celebration.

It was a joy to connect with so many of you, sharing stories, meeting neighbours, and enjoying time together with friends and families. These small but meaningful moments are what make our community so special, and I’m thankful to have been a part of them.

August Community Calendar