Medalta in the Historic Clay District and the City of Medicine Hat hosted the two largest festivals this September 2022, featuring Canadian music legends Bif Naked, TOQUE,  The Northern Pikes, 54-40, and High Valley.‍

Crockstock and Together Again invited thousands of people from the Southeast Alberta region to experience Canadian and local live music, shop small business, indulge in food truck grub, and watch diverse entertainment, all while appreciating the place they call home.

Medalta in the Historic Clay District has stood in Medicine Hat for over 100 years, and this month it hosted Crockstock, the free, 12-hour eventon September 25, 2022. 

It featured legendary local and Canadian performers, the indigenous dance group Blackfoot Medicine Speaks, salsa dance lessons followed by the live salsa band, Klvae Latin Band, all of the food trucks that exist in Medicine Hat, and family activities from 10a.m. to 10p.m. The Yuill Gallery, Museum, and Shaw Centre were open to the public for free, and their market room featured over 20 local creators and artists. 

Sara Dell is the events manager at Medalta in the Historic Clay District and says there is non-stop live entertainment and a series of festivities happening throughout the day for all ages. The live music ranges from pop, to country, folk, salsa, and rock n’ roll.

“I’m most excited to see hundreds of people come together after so long apart to enjoy the arts and music Medicine Hat has to offer, as well as all of the other activities and world-class Canadian headliners we have planned for the day festival,” says Dell. “This is more than a concert — this is a day for friends and family to enjoy quality time together in our community again.”

The National Historic Site will be packed with conversations, laughter, experience, and celebrations between community members that span the Southeast Alberta region.

“We wanted to create an event that celebrates being together. We want people to have a good day that’s affordable, where people have access to a bunch of activities,” says Mike Onieu, executive director, Medalta in the Historic Clay District. “Crockstock is going to be a giant party.”

Local musicians The Hip Catz, Phoenix, Broadband and Derek Hintz will take also take the stage. There will be a large tented beer garden as well as a non-alcoholic refreshment tent with some seating, but Dell suggests people bring comfortable shoes and lawn chairs. 

This event is funded through a Government of Canada grant. 

Medicine Hat’s Historic First Street was brimming with liveliness on Saturday, September 17, 2022 during the Together Again festival. The heart of the city was filled with various festivities that invited families of all ages to be immersed in the uplifting event with live performances from Canadian headliners and commemorations of diversity in the community.

There was a component of entertainment and gathering that happened every hour, from 1-10p.m., along with a market featuring over 65 local businesses until 6:00p.m., and a beer garden that showcased Medicine Hat’s three breweries and its distillery.

Josie Doll, entertainment and events coordinator, City of Medicine Hat, says Together Again was intended to reunite residents and really celebrate the community’s resilience over the years.

“It’s unlike any event Medicine Hat has ever had. This festival is so multi-faceted, and we hope those who plan to come stay until the end of the night for the firework finale,” says Doll. “It really showcases the spaces, businesses, and organizations we have downtown and highlights what they’re like when they’re all activated in this way.”

It featured a 600-seat dinner table on Finlay Bridge, an escape room at Medicine Hat Public Library, a portrait unveiling, a celebration of new Canadians, a Municipal Historic Resource announcement, and a main stage with performances from The Royal Foundry, The Northern Pikes, 54-40, and High Valley, along with local bands Taking August and Band of Brothers.

“Events like this are a great way to bring people together and unify our voices,” says Kelli Ireland, marketing specialist, Strategic Management Analysis, City of Medicine Hat. “It helps create positivity in the area and encourages people to experience different elements of our downtown. The area is growing and bears a unique vibe and bringing the community down to experience things like this in their own backyard is really special.”

For this year’s event, the weather was a high of 22 degrees C, and the sunshine was out to warm the hearts of everyone around. 

“A large event like this really shows the spirit of Medicine Hat when we can come together in this way,” says Doll. 

Find more information about the event and the event schedule at medicinehat.ca or Together Again YXH.

This event is entirely funded by the Department of Canadian Heritage.