Sundre Fun Bluegrass & Blueberries
It all started when friends asked us if we’d be interested in going with them to the Shady Grove Bluegrass Festival in Sundre Alberta. Always up for trying something different we said “Yes!”
While Sundre is only about an 80 minute drive from Calgary, for some reason we had never been there, probably because it isn’t on the way to Canmore/Banff, Lethbridge, Edmonton or Medicine Hat.
So, we had to do some research on what else there is to see and do in Sundre. We quickly found out there are two thrift stores there, unfortunately only one was open on Saturdays, which was the day we were going to the festival. We also learned there was a consignment store that was looking for furs and coincidently B had a sable mink fur stole she picked up in London (ON) Goodwill’s bin store that didn’t sell in our garage sale which she thought would be fun to consign.
We also learned Sundre is the camping capital of Alberta with something like 3,000 camp sites in the immediate area. It is also an interesting golfing destination with the Sundre Golf Course, Coyte RV Golf Course and Forest Heights RV Golf Course. The latter I had never heard of.
The Shady Grove Bluegrass Festival is an intimate experience.
Getting There
Driving from Calgary to Sundre is very pleasant as there are several different route via paved rural roads with little traffic to get there. The rolling hills make for a roller-coaster like trip.
We met up with the sister of our friends at an acreage just outside of Sundre which was an eye opener. I can now better appreciate the attraction to acreage living. The house and cabin were located on 6 acres on the edge of a small pond that feeds into the Red Deer river. The spot was idyllic - fire pit next to the water, where you can paddle board in the summer and skate in the winter, huge trees everywhere and quiet. It was the opposite of our inner city, infill home.
Image this was your backyard….
Freson Bros.
In our research we found out Freson Bros. grocery store had a flat (8 pounds) of B.C. blueberries for $20. We couldn’t pass that up, so we made it our first stop. We were impressed not only by the blueberry sale, but the butcher department that would turn a few vegetarians into carnivores. We found lots of products you don’t see in Calgary grocery stores. Turns out Freson Bros. stores are mostly in small Alberta towns with a couple of urban stores in Edmonton. Love to see them in Calgary soon.
The blueberries were not only cheap but they were very tasty. Who knew that there actually is a blueberry bluegrass festival in Stoney Plain, Alberta.
Adams Army Thrift Store
Adams Army Thrift store was only a block away closes at 2 pm on Saturdays so we decided to drop in for a quick look before the festival. We were impressed, the place was packed with stuff, perfect for treasure hunting. I quickly gravitated to the golf equipment at the front door, and immediately picked up a driver, putter and golf bag all for $15 and B found us a birdhouse for $4. We could have spent an hour or more treasure hunting here. But the festival was waiting.
She’s going in….
The place was packed….
We will be back….
Shady Grove
It was a quick drive to the Rodeo Grounds where the festival was happening. Getting in was simple - you just pull up (no line-up) an attendant shows you where to park, volunteers help you check-in and then it’s a two minute walk to the site. Even though we didn’t get there until almost noon, it was easy to find a good spot not far from the stage to sit and listen. This is an intimate music festival, maybe 250 people at most.
Bad News: There is no shade at Shady Grove (not sure where they get the name from), it is in the middle of a grass field behind the rodeo stands. But we came prepared with sunscreen, hats and umbrellas as the forecast called for sun and +30 degrees.
Good News: There was a breeze that made it very enjoyable to sit, chill (figuratively speaking) in the sun and listen to the music.
Great News: There were no mosquitoes. We didn’t believe it when we were told this, but it turned out to be true - not even one of the nasty critters.
Best News: The sound system was great. You could clearly hear both the instruments and the voices. The volume was perfect and we appreciated how attentive people were listening to the music rather than chatting with friends.
We got to enjoy the music of Crooked Path, 5 Guys Named Dave (but two were females), Bix Mix Boys, Hot Biscuit Stringband and Leah Mae Gardener & Kids.
It was a fun afternoon of music and people watching.
Just pull up a chair and enjoy the music.
Crooked Path
5 Guys Named Dave (but two are gals).
Love how close you can get to the musicians.
Hot Biscuit Stringband
Loved the Saskatoon Berry Pie ice cream with lots of berries and lots of pie crust. Thanks Northern Lights Creamery and Bake House.
Festival History
The Shady Grove Bluegrass Festival has run annually for nearly 30 years, delivering diversity of musical talent, workshops and jamming. Now held in Sundre, Alberta, in the shadow of Snake Hill at the Sundre Pro Rodeo Grounds, it was held at the Broadview Farm near Nanton, Alberta until 2020. The venue offers comfortable, spacious dry camping within walking distance to the stage, and lots of opportunities to jam with your friends old and new, in the bluegrass festival tradition.
Downtown Sundre has some fun shops like My Sisters Closet consignment store with a bakery next door.
The consignment shop also serves as a laundromat, so you can do you laundry and shop at the same time. Very cool!
Across the street is a gift / plant shop.
Never heard of Goldfish plant before.
Sundre even has its own graffiti alley.
Last Word
We are already planning our trip back to the Sundre area. We want to explore Adams Army Thrift store properly, as well as the Sundre Thrift Shop. There were a couple of coffee shops that looked interesting too. We also noted the Bergen Sculpture Park is on the way and it would be interesting to see the wild horses that inhabit the area. And maybe my golf buddies might be interested in a Sundre golf trip.
Fingers crossed the sale of the fur stole will pay for the gas for our next visit!
