As the snow continues to melt, it’s time to break out those hiking shoes, cleaning supplies and treat baskets. Here are some of the many things you can spring into across Alberta in April.
EGG HUNTS
Egg on your family to search for chocolaty treats at egg hunts across Alberta, including Lethbridge’s Galt Museum & Archives. On April 16, the museum will host Easter at the Galt, which includes many fun activities for kids of all ages. If you’re in the Banff area over the long weekend, make a stop at Mt Norquay on April 17; thousands (yes, thousands) of treasures will be hidden in the snow for the area’s annual egg hunt from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. You can also walk on the wild side at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo for its Easter Eggstravaganza from April 15 to April 18. This event will offer games and lessons about eggs found in the animal kingdom.
Are you preparing for your own family treat hunt? AMA members can save 10% at Rocky Mountain Chocolate. It offers a wide selection of gourmet confections—from premium chocolate to homemade fudge.
GET SHREDDING
It’s time to get rid of those dust bunnies in your home with some spring cleaning. If you have a bunch of old papers, receipts, bank statements, or photos to discard, don’t just throw them in the garbage. Protect yourself from identity theft—and help the environment at the same time—by heading to one of AMA’s member-only Shredding events around Alberta. This includes Medicine Hat and Camrose on April 23, Lethbridge on April 24, and Sherwood Park on April 30. More shredding events will be held in Edmonton, St. Albert, Red Deer, and Calgary during May and June. Stay tuned here for more information.
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Plenty to do in Red Deer, Alberta
SMELL THE FLOWERS
Waterton Lakes National Park is always a great place to explore in Alberta any time of the year. But in April, it offers perfect moments for nature photographers as wildflowers begin to bloom in the prairie fields past the park’s gates. Flowers like the prairie crocus fill the meadows with purples and yellows. There are also blue Silky Lupines that stand tall in those fields along the park’s Kootenai Brown Trail—especially towards the stunning Prince of Wales Hotel. For a scenic adventure, try hiking the Bellevue trail, which offers gorgeous views of the wildflowers. Be sure you stay on the path to protect those precious plants. Get your Parks Canada Discovery Passes at your nearby AMA centre. Members save $10 on family passes. You can also save $4 on annual adult passes or $2 on senior yearly passes.
DANCE IN THE BADLANDS
The Red Deer River Valley surrounding the Drumheller region is jaw-dropping with its coulees, hoodoos, and limestone canyons. It’s the perfect backdrop for smooth and rich sounds of rock and roll, country, roots, and blues music during the community’s annual East Coulee SpringFest April 29 and April 30. This festival will feature a lineup of 40 western Canadian musical performances that will keep your feet moving to the riffs and beats. Plus, this event is for a good cause: it’s the annual fundraiser for the East Coulee School Museum.
BIG-SCREEN THRILLS
April’s movie lineup includes a sequel to a popular video game adaptation. Canadian-born actor Jim Carrey is back to his wacky ways playing the villainous Dr. Ivo Robotnik in Sonic the Hedgehog 2—in theatres April 8. This time, Sonic will face a new nemesis, Knuckles, whose voice is played by Idris Elba.
If over-caffeinated corniness isn’t your thing, wave your magic wand for Harry Potter prequel Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore on April 15. It also happens to be a sequel to The Crimes of Grindelwald, released in November 2018. This time Professor Albus Dumbledore, played by Jude Law, must lead a team to save the wizarding world from the powerfully dark antagonist, Gellert Grindelwald, played by Mads Mikkelsen.
AMA members can save on Cineplex and Landmark movie passes for kids, adults, and seniors when you pick them up from your local AMA centre. You can purchase a Cineplex gift card at your local AMA centre.