Grande Prairie Regional Tourism Association

Making its annual holiday debut this Thursday, November 19 at Evergreen Park, it's the 2020 Northern Spirits Lightshow! This drive-through Christmas light event is the largest of its kind in northern Alberta, and is a wonder for visitors of all ages. **Contest now closed** To get into the holiday spirit, we are giving away passes to 8 lucky winners! The passes are per vehicle and are valid for one night each. All you have to do to enter is: Tag a friend in the comments below... (the more the merrier!) Both must 'Like' our Facebook Page Share this post to spread the word about this magical regional event! (Giveaway closes on Friday, Nov. 20 at 12pm MST. Winners will be randomly selected but must have followed the steps above, and will be contacted via Messenger to pick up their prize. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered, or associated with Facebook. Photos by Famous Amos Photography.) #GPTourism

Did you know: Bison, also commonly referred to as buffalo, are Canada's largest land mammal! The species was almost hunted to extinction in North America, but with the establishment of Wood Buffalo National Park in 1922, Canada’s largest national park, the area is now home to one of the largest free-roaming and self-regulating Bison herds in the world! Photo by Lloyd Dykstra... #GPTourism

Grande Prairie: let's show our support for Family Violence Prevention month by wearing purple on Monday, November 23rd! Share a photo on social media with the following hashtags to help raise awareness: #GoPurpleGP #GoPurpleAB #FamilyViolencePreventionMonth #FVPM2020 #WhereToTurn #IMPACTGP Click the event to learn more!

#Halloween in the downtown core will be looking different this year, but our Grande Prairie DownTown Association has done a brilliant (creative!) job of rethinking the festivities to keep them COVID-safe and still fun for the kids. Choose a time between October 29th and 31st to head down to the Helen Rice Plaza at Revolution Place for photo backdrops, food trucks, contests, and more. #GPTourism #DowntownGrandePrairie

Calling all art fans: Canadian artist Robbie Craig's Northern Projects is coming to Grant Berg Gallery this weekend! Robbie's spellbinding impressionistic style captures the essence of the #Canadian tundra and all that makes the north home. He will be showcasing a wide variety of prints, canvas prints, and other treasures including scarves, ornaments, photography prints, calendars, face masks, and much more. More details in the event below. #GPTourism

Christmas is arriving in #Sexsmith this Friday get ready for a the official town light-up, hot chocolate, craft bags, Christmas markets, local holiday shopping, and maybe an appearance by Old Saint Nick himself! It all kicks off on Friday, November 20th with the town light-up, featuring an improved and modernized display of Christmas lights and the Sexsmith 4-H Multi Club handing out hot chocolate and candy canes. Then visit the Town of Sexsmith's page for more details on... participating shops, where to enjoy a warm meal, and more! #GPTourism

To make up for all the live music that was missed this summer, here's your chance: George Canyon and Aaron Pritchett are putting on a drive-in live concert at Teepee Creek NEXT weekend! https://www.tpcountry.ca/headlights--tailgates.html Tickets are sold by vehicle (so split the cost between friends if you want!), and you're welcome to get out and dance in your own parking spot. It might not be the same experience we're used to, but it's sure to be a show we won't forget. #GPTourism

The fall season in beautiful northern Alberta draws hunters from near and far to try their luck at big game animals. Our province's climate and rich soil produce conditions ideal for developing large, healthy animals, plus long seasons and generous limits are an Alberta tradition. If all things #hunting are your passion, you should check out the Gun & Sports Show happening at Evergreen Park from October 16-18th. More details at: http://ow.ly/4EQ450BG1NG This shot was taken b...y Jess Wright (@wrighteyephotography) on his first elk hunt experience. #GPTourism #NorthernAlberta

Nitehawk's official opening announcement!

The magic of the holiday season always comes to life during the enchanted Christmas wonderland that is the Festival of Trees an annual charity event in support of the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital Foundation. This year, the Foundation is excited to announce that the Festival will be open for 8 days instead of the usual 3, as a way of keeping the number of visitors at any given time to a minimum while still maximizing the number of people who can attend. Join us at the T...ara Centre in Evergreen Park from November 22-29, 2020 to take in all your favourite activities, from the Teddy Bear Hospital to the Popcorn Playhouse and the ever-popular Kids Secret Workshop. All the details, including where to buy tickets, can be found at: https://www.festivaloftreesgp.ca/ #GPTourism

Happy October 1st! Now mid-way through the fall season, we have to know: do you still like spending time outdoors during fall? Or are you strictly cozying up and staying warm? LIKE this post if you're still going outside. LOVE this post if inside is where you want to be!... #GPTourism

Four words: Let's hit the slopes!! See Nitehawk's exciting announcement below. #GPTourism

From Christmas markets to galas, and hot chocolate to spiked eggnog, we have the region's must-do magical holiday events rounded up in our latest Grande Plan! Click here to read https://bit.ly/2IRWWq5

It's that magical time of year in our region, so naturally we wanted to create an itinerary of all the holiday events you can't miss! Jingle all the way to this link https://bit.ly/38WPC7k

Head to Downtown tonight for the Vegas Days!! On till 11:00pm tonight Grande Prairie DownTown Association Also going on tomorrow 10:00am 5:00pm #gptourism #grandplan #shoplocal #christmasshopping #vegasdays #deals

October golf? With forecasted temperatures in the 20s this weekend, why not! Grab your honey and head to The Dunes Golf & Winter Club for their Couple's Social Day with hugely discounted golf rates. There's a good chance this might be your last golf date of the season! #GPTourism #GolfGrandePrairie

Have you explored the many programs and services our amazing Grande Prairie Public Library offers? First, in case you missed it, the GPPL is now open! Second, check out all of the things the library offers its members (including a curated "We Pick It!" service if you're not sure what you want to read or watch next, blogs, games, crafts, and more) at: https://www.gppl.ca/EN/main/browse/we-pick-it.html... (Don’t forget memberships are free!) #GPTourism #GPPL #Library

When you're in the mood for a good slice of cheesy pie, it can be hard to know where to fulfill your craving! Might we suggest trying one (or all!) of these local joints serving pizza in our region? 1. It's a bit of a drive, but you'll soon see it's worth it when you're drooling over the pull-apart cheesy pizzas at The Blueberry General Store in Saddle Hills County 2. With two timeless classics on their menu, the New Yorker and the Hawaiian, you can't go wrong with ordering... a pizza from The Den Pub and Carvery 3. Choose from their long list of pizza options, or opt to build-your-own, at Anna's Pizza and family restaurant in Beaverlodge a fan favourite amongst locals and passers-by 4. The Crown & Anchor Pub may just end up in your speed dial after you try their classic pub pizzas! 5. There's no better feeling than supporting local and stuffing your face with a saucy slice at the same time! Be sure to try The Pizza Pad Sexsmith next time you're there. (Photo by The Pizza Pad!)

Who is excited for Halloween this weekend?! Bring the kids over to Centre 2000 on Saturday during our regular business hours from 10am-4:30pm, as we'll be passing out Halloween treat boxes to our spooky visitors. Don't forget to wear a mask (though maybe you'll already be wearing one as part of your costume!) #GPTourism

The Great Northern Casino is no ordinary casino. They also serve up some of the best food in the city on their lounge side. While we wait patiently for their comedy nights and live music to return, you might just find us at Lasagna Night, Steak Night, Rib Night... (you get the picture!). Visit their Facebook page for all the updates! #GPTourism #GreatNorthernCasino

Caribbean Association of Grande Prairie - CAGP is live right now !!!! Enjoy the raining day by watching their live of popular Caribbean hair styles and Caribbean Traditional outfits It’s feee to go in and see the fashion show today and tomorrow till 5:30 Montrose Cultural Centre Grande Prairie Public Library https://www.facebook.com/caribbeanassociationgp/videos/1702718596572412/ #gptourism #grandplan #localevents #culture #beauty #fashionshow

Ready to start browsing fall trends? Wanting a new piercing or fresh hair cut? How about needing some more face masks? Be sure to follow The Prairie Mall's Facebook page, and check out their website where they share sales, promotions, and events at their participating stores! https://www.shopprairiemall.com/promotions

In case you didn't know, the Beaverlodge Farmer's Market takes place year-round every Tuesday and Wednesday, with the occasional Saturday pop-up when they can! Keep an eye on their page for updates. For more great #fall activity ideas, check out our blog at https://bit.ly/33hHrzl #GPTourism #Beaverlodge #FarmersMarket

Dreaming of a little staycation with your best furry friends in tow? Encore Suites by Service Plus Inns can make sure you're taken care of. Choose a weekend, create an itinerary (or your own mini Grande Plan!), and relax with the whole family. Visit their Facebook page for more details! #GPTourism #Staycation

Congratulations to our Grande Plan winner, Gitanjali! She submitted an excellent and original itinerary, highlighting some of the best local spots in our region to check out. We look forward to including some of her suggestions in upcoming Grande Plans. She will be taking home: 2 nights stay at the Service Plus Inns & Suites Grande Prairie 2 lift tickets to Nitehawk Year-Round Adventure Park... a Bullets & Broadheads Shooting Center range and rental package 1 $50 GC to MR MIKES 1 $50 GC to the Jackpot Grill & Events Center Thank you to our incredible sponsors and members, and to all of you who participated in this contest highlighting the best our region has to offer! #GPTourism #GrandePlan

Grande Prairie's only "skyscraper" fades into a misty September morning. Can you spot Grant Berg Gallery peeking out? Privately managed curated, the gallery is a local treasure featuring the works of Canadian artists in the form of canvas acrylic, oil paintings, carvings, sculptures, and more. Photo by Katrina Shirley... #GPTourism #ArtGallery See more

Our region's town of Beaverlodge may be small, but its chock full of locally-run shops and quaint cafés! Until October 12th, the Town of Beaverlodge is encouraging you to support local and be entered to win in a weekly #contest draw (just in case you needed one extra reason to go shopping!). All you have to do is pick up a frequent shopper card from any of the participating businesses, collect stamps by visiting different stores, salons, restaurants, pharmacies and more, th...en submit your card for weekly draws as well as a Grand Prize Draw happening on October 12th. For more information, visit beaverlodge.ca or their Facebook page! #GPTourism #ShopLocal #Beaverlodge

Did you know that #GrandePlan readers can snag a limited-time discount on participating hotels in our city?! Book with one of our hotel partners by visiting https://bit.ly/34iHQBX, and receive up to 30% off your next stay! Four Points by Sheraton Grande Prairie... Service Plus Inns & Suites Grande Prairie Encore Suites by Service Plus Inns #GPTourism

Lightning Ridge is the highest point in the Grande Cache area, and is not a hike for the faint of heart. Canadian Olympic Biathlete, Nathan Smith, conquered the ridge and took these incredible photos a few weeks ago. Think you'd be up for the 22km long, 1475m elevation gain journey? #GPTourism #GrandeCache Municipal District of Greenview No. 16 Greenview Tourism and Development

Monday doesn’t have to mean mundane! At HJ's Bowling, they bring the fun to Monday evenings with $4/person bowling games. Call ahead to book a lane anytime between 1-8pm by phoning (780) 538-BOWL. P.S. What’s your go-to bowling screen name? Share in the comments below! #GPTourism #Bowling

#Agriculture is a massive contributor to Alberta's economy, culture, and especially its geography. Did you know that Alberta farmland accounts for roughly 31.3% of the total farm area in Canada? Wheat remains the largest crop grown, followed by barley and canola. What a beautiful region of the #prairies we live in, particularly during this time of year. Don't you agree? Stunning photos by local photographer and producer Devan Francis WINDOWBOX... #GPTourism See more

Grande Prairie, what would your dream chair look like? No really... The Resource Centre for Suicide Prevention - RCSP is hosting their 10th Annual Chair Extraordinaire in partnership with the Jackpot Grill & Events Center. So what is it, and how can you participate?! Come into the Jackpot anytime until October 31st and bid on a "chair" package of your choice there really is something for everyone! While you're there, purchase a $35 meal ticket and use it on any Jackpot menu... item, and eat well knowing your ticket proceeds are going to support the Resource Centre, too. Check out http://ow.ly/zm6f50BVQxC for all of the details! #GPTourism #SuicidePrevention #SuicideAwareness #SilentAuction

Get your tickets for the Grande Prairie Museum's Heritage Village Folktales Tours happening tonight and tomorrow night by clicking the link below! #GPTourism #GrandePrairieMuseum

Don't miss out GP! Our region's beloved drive-in theatre will be retiring the big screen at the end of this month. You can plan ahead and choose the show you want to see by visiting the entire scheduled at: http://ow.ly/xwg450BG2DV #GPTourism #DriveInMovies #OutdoorCinema Grande Sunset Theatre Evergreen Park

A-MAZE-ing news: Country Roads RV will be opening their corn maze for a short time this season and today is their opening day! The maze hours will be: Mon to Fri 3pm to 8pm (cut-off for entrance will be an hour before close) Sat 12pm to 8pm ... Sun 12pm to 6pm Entrance will be $5/person and children 5 and under are free! The corn maze will run until weather no longer permits. (Masks will not be required, but you're encouraged to make your own decision regarding wearing one.Cash, credit, and debit will be accepted.) #GPTourism #GrandePrairieCornMaze

Everyone needs a little comfort food now and then, and these local spots in Grande Prairie have made sure to include a variety of dietary needs. Check out these #vegan (and non-vegan, don't worry!) treats around the city: 1. Off The Wheaten Path Vegan & Gluten Free Fine Foods 2. Friendship Donuts... 3. Homesteader Health (with fresh sourdough provided by Loaves) #GPTourism

In case you needed a little good news this Thursday evening, we got you: outdoor movies at the Grande Sunset Theatre aren't leaving us anytime soon! Until the end of October, you can still hit up one of the best things to come out of #quarantine this year, Grande Prairie's very own drive-in theatre hosted at Evergreen Park. For movie listings and tickets, visit their EventBrite page at : http://ow.ly/Ymqr50Bd9RN

Happy Thanksgiving Grande Prairie and region! What are you most grateful for this year? Tell us below. #GPTourism #HappyThanksgiving

Have you heard?! Blachford Field of Nightmares is BACK for another year terrifying, blood curdling, scream-inducing fun! With new social distance guidelines in place, it all kicks off this Friday at 9pm in the lot north of Evergreen Park. For the rest of the season's schedule, head to Evergreen Park's Facebook page.... #GPTourism #Halloween

Itching to get away for some R&R this weekend? Get your "Zen" on at the local rock labyrinth, soak up the serenity of an early morning paddle at Grey’s Lakes, or embrace nature at the stunning Sulphur Gates. Chris Istace with Zen Seekers shows you how to #ExploreNWAB in the Grande Cache region in the following blog post: http://ow.ly/wxgm50Bd9GW #GPTourism #GrandeCache #ABParks #ZenSeekers

Oh, #September. What memories does that crisp air bring back for you? Photo by @rorycollinspatrick on Instagram. Tag #GPTourism to be featured!

Sad to say goodbye to summer? Don't be! Our newest #blog post outlines 10 things to do this fall in the Grande Prairie region, so you can fully embrace the chilled air and changing leaves. https://bit.ly/2Frfxr1 Photo credit: Devan Francis and Shane Wiebe #GPTourism #BlogPost #Fall

Ready, set, GLOW! BEAR PAW Par 3 Golf Course & RV Park's first night of September glow ball golf begins tonight! While tee times for this evening are already booked, check out their website for other openings being regularly added (and a few tee times for next Friday). Head to: https://gobearpaw.ca/online-booking-tee-time/... #GPTourism

Are you fishing around for something to do in the evenings? Check out our region’s designated fish ponds for some catch-and-release entertainment the whole family will love. 1. County Sportsplex Pond 2. Grovedale Fish Pond 3. Muskoseepi Pond... County of Grande Prairie No. 1 City of Grande Prairie Municipal District of Greenview No. 16

One thing we consistently hear in our community is the desire for more #streetart! Well, the Grande Prairie DownTown Association is making sure that happens with their Art in the Alley community initiative and we have a brand new mural by Roxanne Gordey being done in the downtown core. Have you been by to see the progress? #GPTourism #ArtintheAlley #Mural

Does your #business add to value to the tourism industry in our region? Wanting to build awareness of what you offer to visitors and the local community? Let’s work together. Consider joining the GPRTA today! Low annual fees give you access to various advertising opportunities and networks. Visit https://gptourism.ca/about/become-a-member to read the Member Benefits and different Membership Levels. Photo of Centre 2000 by @holidecks on Instagram! #GPTourism