Things to See and Do

Arts and Culture

Galleries and Studios - World renowned area artist Alex Janvier displays his original works of art in the Janvier Gallery across from the Cold Lake Marina. The Cold Lake Visual Art Society has a studio/gallery in Beantrees Internet Café in downtown Cold Lake. Take a stroll through the past at Sugar Belle Café & Antiques in downtown Bonnyville.

Concerts – Both the Bonnyville and District Centennial Centre  www.centennialcentre.ca or 780.812.3400 and the Cold Lake Energy Centre www.coldlake.com or 780.639.6400 host a multitude of concerts throughout the year. Please see their websites for schedules. The Bonnyville Fine Arts Society hosts a variety of performances throughout the year at the Lyle Victor Albert Performing Arts Centre.  The Kinosoo Performing Arts Association in Cold Lake sells out their line-up annually so get your tickets early.

Murals – Stroll through downtown Cold Lake and along the lakeshore to view a little history and over 20 murals on various city buildings.

Pope’s Cross – The cross blessed by Pope John Paul II during his visit to Edmonton in 1984 has been erected in a field adjacent to Highway 28 between Cold Lake North and South. The cross was sponsored by the local Knights of Columbus and returned to Cold Lake after the Edmonton ceremony. To prevent weathering the wooden cross has been wrapped in metal and covered with high density aluminum paint.

Planes, Planes, Planes

Maple Flag 2012 – This Annual Air Combat Exercise in May and June attracts participants from around the world. Visitors are able to watch the daily launches and recoveries (excluding weekends and holidays) from the viewing area on the west end of 4 Wing at 8 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. The planes are put on display at the Maple Flag Open House where visitors have the chance to talk to the pilots and sit in the cockpit.

4 Wing Cold Lake Viewing Area – Located near the back gate of 4 Wing Cold Lake is a picnic and viewing area for public use. Viewers can watch as military aircraft taxi down the runway during take-off and landing. This is a prime spot for Maple Flag viewing.

HQ Air Park and Heritage Park – At HQ Park view the CF-104, CT-33, CF-100 and CF-101. Across from the park you’ll also see the DC-3 Dakota, aka Pinocchio. At Heritage Park at 4 Wing’s front gates view the CF-5 Freedom Fighter, T-33 and CF-18. At the main downtown intersection in Cold Lake there are a CF 104 Starfighter and CT114 Tutor on pedestals.

Cold Lake Air Force Museum – Visitors can learn how to start up an F-18 engine, view the radar equipment that protected North America during the Cold War or sit in the cockpit of a mock Starfighter (CF-104) in the Air Force Gallery. New displays added last year include a life-size F-18 decoy and a Forward Looking Infrared Pod (FLIR). Open May long weekend to Labour Day Tuesday to Saturday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Sunday and Monday: Closed. Open by appointment in the off season. For more information contact 780.594.3546 www.coldlakeairforcemuseum.com Located on Highway 28 North, east of the Tri-City Mall.

Fun Things To Do

Farm Yard Mini Golf – Sometimes it takes a while to figure out where your ball is going to go on a course designed from old farm machinery. Book your laughs at Rocky Meadows Country Get Away 780.826.6053 www.rockymeadows.net

Paintball – Have a Shoot Out at the OK-Corral or take out the opposition in the Junk Yard! The outdoor paintball courses at Rocky Meadows Country Get-Away test the best. Open May to October. Book your fun at 780.826.6053. www.rockymeadows.net

Bowling – For the pin junkies out there, Bonnyville is home to Spare Time Recreation 780.826.6400 while Cold Lake houses the Marina Bowling Centre 780.639.2950 one block from the lakeshore.

Skateboarding - Try out the skate park set-up in Bonnyville adjacent to the Bonnyville and District Centennial Centre and on 4 Wing Cold Lake by the J.J. Parr Sports Centre.

Virtual Golf - If golf is your game, but the weather isn’t cooperating, take your clubs inside for a round of virtual excitement at Spare Time Recreation in Bonnyville 780.826.6400 to keep your swing in shape year-round.

Sport and Recreation

Indoor Recreation – The Bonnyville and District Centennial Centre features two full size NHL arenas, wellness centre, athletic field house, indoor running track, climbing wall and indoor play area . The Bonnyville Swimming Pool is located at 4712- 48 Street. The Cold Lake Energy Centre has a field house, fitness and wellness centre, indoor walking/running track, and a children's play area. The J.J. Parr Sports Centre at 4 Wing Cold Lake contains an aquatic centre featuring a six lane competition pool, a zero entry leisure pool and waterslide. There is also a hot tub, sauna, fully equipped weight and cardio room, large gymnasium, three squash courts, one racquetball court, a smaller gym and two NHL size ice surfaces. The Cold Lake Golf & Winter Club on 4 Wing houses a six sheet curling rink and banquet facilities.

Birdwatching - The Bonnyville/Cold Lake region lies within the transition zone between Alberta 's aspen parkland and northern boreal forest. This unique habitat attracts an incredibly diverse population of bird species. A bird checklist for the region recently identified 292 species of birds in the area. In late May and early June, Cold Lake Provincial Park becomes the destination for birders who want to enjoy observing close to 23 warbler species. The fall migration through late July and August draws a repeat crowd. Couple this rare attraction with a host of spill-over population of Pelicans, Cormorants and Gull species and you have a birding paradise. Cold Lake also has the only nesting spot for Turkey Vultures in North America on the east side of the lake. Bonnyville's Jessie Lake, is a shallow wetland home for many species of waterfowl. You can observe nesting populations of the American Avocet and watch the undulating flight of a hunting Short-Eared Owl from viewing platforms and a walking path around the lake.

Good Eats

Farmer's Markets - Check out the Farmer's Markets for fresh produce, hand-picked berries and homemade tasty treats. Bonnyville's Farmer's Market is open year-round, on Tuesday from 3 to 6:30 p.m. in the Beaver River Fish and Game Building (4402-54 Ave.) and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Centennial Centre. Cold Lake hosts a Farmer's Market every Thursday from May 12 to October 6 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Exhibition Park. There are also two special Christmas markets in December.

U-Picks – Enjoy mouthwatering berries at Lynn Robb Strawberries and Market Garden (780-826-5659), Saskatoons (and pie) at Rocky Meadows Country Get Away (780-812-0717), strawberries, raspberries and Saskatoons at H'Evans Berries (780-726-1675). Lynn Robb also has a market garden full of vegetables that you can enjoy and H'Evans Berries sells shares for community gardening.

Tours

Farm Adventures - Muriel Creek Cattle Co. hosts birthday parties and corporate family days. Private tours by appointment and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please call 780-826-2561.

Sightseeing Tours – See our lakes from the air. Lakeland Flight Services provides sightseeing tours. $180/hr for three people. To book call 780-573-0130. www.lakelandflightservices.ca .

Hamilton House Bed & Breakfast Cold Lake Tour - While staying at Hamilton House, enjoy Brian Hamilton's in-depth tour of Cold Lake. You'll have the chance to collect the five sands of Cold Lake, locate 15 beaches on the lake and have lunch on his favorite pebble beach.

Lakeland Agricultural Research Association – L.A.R.A.'s Fort Kent farm site features a four acre shelter belt/wildlife trail and showcases various tree species and bird habitats. Visitors can also tour the innovative crops trials, organically grown test garden, greenhouse, fruit tree orchard, fully stocked fish pond beside the Iron Horse Trail and other interpretive displays. Guided tours of the whole farm are available on appointment or self guided tour books are available at each entrance to the farm. 780-826-7260.