Westworld Alberta
Issue link: http://westworldmagazine.ama.ab.ca/i/309330
s u m m e r 2 0 1 4 | w e s t w o r l d A l b e r t A 11 Tough as DirT No guck, no glory. All hail the return of Mud Hero, the annual obstacle race that dares Canadians to defy their fear of muck and raise some scratch for cancer agencies. The event slithers back to Alberta August 8–10 at Canyon Ski Resort, outside Red Deer. Around 17,000 costumed competitors will slop through muddy bogs, scale walls and shimmy through pipes – clearing 19 obstacles on a six-kilometre course. Participants get a shirt, a medal and a bevvie at the post-race Mud Bash. Spectators get pumped for next year. (Register until July 30.) mudhero.com –Kirsten Rodenhizer Going with the Grain They rise up from the ground like great pastoral homages to Canadian agriculture, but how much do you really know about grain elevators? From May through August, visit the Canadian Grain Elevator Discovery Centre in Nanton for an hour-long guided tour covering the history, construction and operation of grain elevators, plus a nostalgic glimpse at pioneer homesteading artifacts. Kids can plant a seed to take home and try their hand at grinding flour. Before you leave, pick up a sack of organic, stone-ground whole wheat flour from the gift shop, supplied by neighbouring Sun Prairie Mills. canadiangrainelevatordiscoverycentre.com –S.R. The Wild life T his summer, feed your animal curiosity at two Alberta attractions. e Zookeeper for a Day program at Calgary Zoo teaches adventurous adults the ins and outs of animal care. You'll help with such tasks as prepping meals, feeding, tidying, exhibit setup and more. Half-day programs are also available for teens. Or, head to Innisfail and pay a visit to Discovery Wildlife Park, which houses more than 150 animals (of 40 species), many of which have been orphaned, rescued from zoos or confiscated by provincial officials. "We fill a niche in Alberta, taking in animals that the government deems can't be released back into nature," says owner Doug Bos. Visitors to the 36-hectare park get an up-close look at porcupines, tigers, camels and more. But the star attractions are the working black bears from Hollywood, whose acting credits include Anchorman, Dr. Dolittle 2 and RV, to name a few. –Tracy Hyatt Members save 20 per cent on general admission at the Calgary Zoo. AMARewards.ca (tough as dirt) zoomphoto.ca, (grain elevator) david michael drew, (tiger) carol fox (leading ladies) edward kwong, (mint) istock, (roll the bones) dave tameling Mucky racers celebrate after last year's Mud Hero near Red Deer. Nanton's Grain Elevator Discovery Centre. Siberian tiger Sheera paints a masterpiece at Discovery Wildlife Park. p08-11AroundAlberta.indd 11 14-04-29 9:11 AM