Alberta’s Lakeland is a visitor’s dream. The forests, lakes, and abundant natural beauty take your breath away. This is the backdrop to some amazing family-friendly events in 2018.

There’s music festivals, rodeos, mud events, pumpkin-themed fun, and much more. Read on to learn about just 5 of the exciting upcoming Lakeland events in 2018.

1. Centerfield Music Festival, June 5-16, 2018

The Centrefield Music festival features some of the country’s top Country and Rock & Roll artists over two days. Headlining the event are Gord Bamford, Madeline Merlo, Corb Lund and James Barker Band. As well as music there will be dancing, food and perhaps the occasional liquid refreshment.

This small town, big act music festival means you will party under the sky whether the weather is sunny or rainy so bring the right clothes. It’s all part of the fun. The organizers are running a family show so bring the kids too.

2. Cold Lake Air Show, July 21-22, 2018

This year the theme of the Cold Lake Air Show will be a salute to the 60th anniversary of NORAD. The United States Air Force F22 Raptor fighter jet will be put through its paces. The pilot, Major Paul “Loco” Lopez will demonstrate the jet’s amazing maneuverability.

The Royal Canadian Air Force will not be outdone. Their CF-18 Demonstration Team will be on hand together with the Snowbirds Demonstration Team. Parachuting in will be the Canadian Armed Forces Parachute Team, the SkyHawks, with their signature Maple Leaf flag parachutes.

3. Bonnyville Pro Rodeo, July 27-29, 2018

There are several rodeos throughout the Lakeland year. The Bonnyville Pro Rodeo is the highlight of a packed July program. It’s got to be on any list of family-friendly things in Lakeland.

The rodeo event starts with a Chili Cook-Off. There is socializing and dancing in the evenings. The real excitement is the action-packed chuckwagon racing and bronco riding.

4. Extreme Mudfest, August 23-26, 2018

Outdoor Music Festivals can be muddy affairs. Few of them promote the mud as part of the attraction. The Extreme Mudfest makes mud-based fun one of the things to do in Lakeland.

Trucks, lawn mowers, and quad bikes battle with the mud for your entertainment. There’s a charity mud-run if you fancy joining in and doing your bit for charity too. On-site camping and music in the evenings mean you can party long and hard.

5. Smoky Lake Pumpkin Festival, October 6, 2018

October means pumpkins. At Smokey Lake Great White North Pumpkin Weigh-Off and Fair, they do it big. Last year’s winner was 1652lbs!

Don Crew grew the winning monster pumpkin — that’s a lot of pumpkin pies! You can be there for this year’s pumpkin weigh-in to see if Don can be beaten and then follow it all up with a supper and dance.

More Upcoming Lakeland Events

Selecting 5 events from the packed calendar of Lakeland events is tough because there’s so much more. For example, June is National Aboriginal History Month and July celebrates Canada History week. You can even round the year off in December, with the Elk Point Christmas Extravaganza.

To learn more about things to do in Lakeland and more upcoming Lakeland events, click here.