Alberta’s my home and I wanted to kick-start summer with a journey to the heart of it. So I rode the rails on the Alberta Prairie Steam Train, which took me to a part of the province that lolls in prairie grasses but leaps alive during the trip.
The Alberta Prairie Steam Train offers a variety of rail experiences over the course of the season, which include theatre performances, fine dining, teddy bear specials for families and a recently added Adult Only excursion – no children permitted. Check the website for a detailed itinerary and ticket prices. All trips include a meal and lots of entertainment.
You can find other getaways like this with Travel Alberta holiday packages. For more about the steam train and the professional Rosebud rural theatre, read on.
Get Ready for the Wild West
It’s easy to find the Alberta Prairie station in Stettler. The station is located on the southeast side of town near the yellow grain elevator. If you get lost, one of the friendly locals will point you in the right direction.
I picked up my ticket at the old rail station located near the old grain elevator and settled into my assigned seat. I was thrilled to hear the conductor yell ’All Aboard!” and the train slowly pulled out of the station. The friendly conductors passed around a three-page brochure, which included a detailed schedule of the trip and some interesting facts about the history of the train.
You’ll find a gift shop on the train, and a concession area that serves refreshing drinks and snacks -- including a limited selection of alcoholic beverages. As I walked through the cars, I noticed information cards next to the doors that contained a brief history of each rail car. The open-air car is my favourite and it’s where I spent most of my time. It is standing room only with no seats, and the large open-air windows make it the perfect breezy spot to stand and watch the prairie roll past. It is also ideal for seeing the Bolton Gang take over the train in an old-fashioned train robbery.
Beware the Bolton Gang
The Bolton Gang arrives as robbers on horseback to stop the train for a shoot’em up Wild West show. The robbers eventually make their way onto the train to wrangle up loose change, which is donated to the two large children’s hospitals in the province. I was also treated to a Roaring 20’s show in my rail car by a dramatic husband and wife duo that encourages audience participation. By the end of the set, everyone was singing in their seats.
An hour and half after departing Stettler, the train stops in Big Valley, a small hamlet with 300 people, complete with a little blue church perched on the hill overlooking the town. A short walk up the street is the Big Valley Community Hall where the Alberta roast beef dinner is served. Alberta is famous for its AAA beef.
Where’s the Beef?
The buffet is simple and tasty, a typical prairie meal. As I watched the 250 passengers sit down to dinner, I wondered how many pounds of Alberta Beef are served to hungry tourists during the season. I tracked down Bill, the head chef, who told me Alberta Prairie serves over 9,000 pounds of beef in a season. Where’s the beef? It’s all in Big Valley!
As I boarded the train for the journey back to Stettler, I felt I that I had slipped back in time. The entertainment, enthusiastic employees and the buffet dinner in Big Valley, transported me back to a time when life moved at a slower pace. We ate together as a community, sharing experiences and stories. Alberta Prairie Steam is the perfect mini-getaway for both young and old -- and those interested in doing a little time travel in the Heart of Alberta.
Welcome to Rosebud
Tucked away in a picturesque valley on the edge of the Canadian Badlands is a quaint little hamlet that is home to Western Canada’s largest rural theatre, the Rosebud Theatre. Rosebud is a unique artist community, with a population of 100, located only an hour’s drive northeast of Calgary.
Rosebud is celebrating a quarter century of theatre production by producing the largest show ever, Fiddler on the Roof by Joseph Stein. Fiddler runs in the newly renovated Opera House May 30 through August 30, 2008. A second production is available during July and August -- Michael Tremblay’s true-life comedy For the Pleasure of Seeing Her Again on the Studio Stage. The Studio Stage production is the final project of the students studying at the theatre school located in the hamlet.
Rosebud is much more than a small hamlet with a theatre, it is also home to the Rosebud School of the Arts which offers professional training in music and theatre. The Rosebud School of the Arts first began as a fine arts camp for junior and senior high students in 1973 and has evolved into a credited post secondary institution. Today over 40 students study theatre and participate in large productions at the Opera House.
Explore the Town
Arrive early and give yourself at least an hour before dinner to explore the town. Historical sign posts scattered around the town enhance the experience and I highly recommend sitting on one of the benches on Main Street and watching theatregoers arrive. I took a short walk off Main Street to the Akokiniskway Gallery to view artwork by talented local artists and alumni from the Rosebud School of the Arts. The artwork captured the spirit of the people and landscapes around Rosebud and it was a highlight of my visit.
The meal is served in three seatings in the historic Mercantile building. The large buffet will satisfy everyone’s tastes and repeat visits are encouraged. Enjoy roast pork, chicken, salmon, salads, fruit, garden fresh vegetables and fruit. My most difficult decision occurred while I was standing in front of the dessert station piled high with homemade pies and cakes. Coffee and tea are included in the cost of the ticket. Wine, pop and juice may be purchased for a reasonable cost.
Gift Shops and Museums
Once dinner was complete, I had some time to kill before the production began. I wandered into the four gift shops and spent a considerable amount of time in the Centennial Museum located in the back of the Little Country Blessings store, located across from the Mercantile. The only museum in the county, it is filled with historical artefacts highlighting the coal mining, agricultural and cowboy history of the region.
The production began at 8:30 p.m. and it is located a short two minute walk from the Mercantile and Main Street. The newly renovated Opera House provides seating for 220 people in comfortable theatre style seating. The calibre of acting and set design didn’t disappoint. The quality of the performance is what you might find in Calgary and Edmonton.
Rosebud is a perfect village vacation getaway and the cost of theatre tickets, $54 to $59 Cdn per person with discounted matinee performances. The accommodation in town won’t break the bank, and it’s a great value for a great Alberta experience.
How to Get There
Rosebud is located one hour northeast of Calgary and thirty minutes south of Drumheller. See map.
If you decide to spend the night in Rosebud, book early. With over 40,000 visitors expected in 2008 the six B&B’s fill up quickly. Two campgrounds located within walking distance of the town for those who wish to bring the comforts of home to the valley. There are the Akokiniskway Golf Course and Campground and High Eagle RV Resort. If you can’t find a place to stay in Rosebud, don’t despair, Drumheller, has a number of accommodation options. Rosebud Theatre tickets may be purchased in advance, and doing so is recommended.