The 14,000 person town (2019) of Strathmore is 40 km east of Calgary, on the Trans-Canada Highway, and is fast becoming a bedroom community for Calgary. July 28, 1883 the Canadian Pacific Railway hit Strathmore during their one day track-laying record of 6.38 miles. The town was named by the project superintendent, a Scot named James Ross, who was assigning Scottish names to the sidings. In 1905, with the new irrigation system, the original hamlet of Strathmore was moved four miles north, to a new 5,600 foot railway siding there. This gave the town its nickname as “the town that moved”.
By 1906, irrigation made the area very attractive to settlers. The Canadian Pacific Railway began what became a world famous demonstration farm. It was both a model and an instructional tool for settlers, many of whom had never farmed in their homeland. 680 acres of the 2,000 acre demonstration farm was irrigated. Just east of the city is Eagle Lake (pictured below), a popular camping area for folks from nearby Calgary. And the town hall is set in Kinsmen Park with a beautiful pond (pictured at top).
Being located just east of Calgary, Strathmore is a great home-base for visits west to Lake Chestermere, north to Drumheller, and east to Eagle Lake and Blackfoot Crossing at Gleichen, and further east to Dinosaur Provincial Park, west of Brooks.
Annual Events
Canadian All Girls Rodeo (early June), Strathmore High School Rodeo (mid June), Heritage Days (August Long weekend ) CPRA Sanctioned Pro Rodeo & GMC World Professional Chuckwagon Finals, plus Alberta Finals Annual Chili Cook-Off.
Strathmore Events
Canada Day
Held July 1st evry year, with free pancake breakfastat Strathmore Firehall and opening ceremonies at Kinsmen Park. Stage entertainment and family events are then hosted at Kinsmen Park until the day wraps up with fireworks around 11pm at the Ag Grounds.
Strathmore Stampede
33 Wheatland Trail Strathmore, AB, Canada T1P 1X3
403-934-5811
Held every August long weekend and is Canada’s 3rd largest outdoor rodeo , and is family-friendly and affordable, and the world famous Running with the Bulls!
Strathmore Farmers Market
Kinsmen Park Pavilion, 1 Park Ln Dr, Strathmore, AB T1P 1K2
(403) 901-0477
strathmorefarmersmarket.ca
The Summer Market Season runs Fridays from June 10th – September 16th Kinsmen Park Pavilion
Strathmore Attractions
Eagle Lake
From Trans-Canada Highway take Range Road 245 southbound. At an old farmhouse, you will see a dirt boat launch on your left-hand side.
Located just southeast of the town of Strathmore. This lake is great for camping, boating, and fishing. There is an R.V. Resort ($$) on the southeast side of the lake with many amenities, but it’s not open for day use.
Eagle Lake Trail
The trailhead is south of Strathmore east of Range Road 817: drive past the recycle yard (looks like a dead end) along Slater Way.
This is a 10.5-km out-and-back trail near Strathmore, and considered an easy route, it takes just over 2 hours to complete. This trail down to eagle Leake is great for birding, hiking, and mountain biking.
Kinsmen Lake
Lakeside Boulevard, north of Trans-Canada Highway #1
Kinsmen Park (shown in page banner) is Strathmore’s largest park and most popular outdoor green space. The park features a large pond with a shale walking track around the water, Strathmore’s only Splash Park which is open during the summer months. Amphitheater hosts free concerts, free fishing! (ages 16 & under and 65 & older), and free outdoor Ice skating during the winter months
Kinsmen Spray Park
11:00am – 8:00pm, seven days a week
South West end of Kinsmen Park (public parking adjacent)
The Lions Splash Park is a family-friendly water attraction free and open to the public. Due to the generous support from the Strathmore Lions, the park operates annually from June 1st to September 1st (weather depending).