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Folk music has always been part of the Canadian cultural fabric, telling the stories of our past and shining a light into our future. It’s a genre that can be hard to define, incorporating a diverse mix of traditions, styles and instrumentation. But what holds it together is simple: a sense of soulful expression and a belief in the power of music to connect with people at their core.

At the Canmore Folk Music Festival, taking place Aug. 3-5 in Centennial Park, some of the top acts in Canada will take to the stage to celebrate the spirit of folk in the great outdoors. There will be concerts, workshops, and fun events for kids in a family-friendly, alcohol-free environment. The festival will also feature concerts off-site at the “Festival Pub” in Union Hall.

This year’s exciting lineup includes both veterans and up-and-comers. Vancouver folk rock legends Spirit of the West and Jim Cuddy of Blue Rodeo will be performing along with indie darlings Great Lake Swimmers, blues phenom Matt Andersen and a total of 14 other acts.

Now in its 35th year, the Canmore Folk Fest is the longest running folk festival in Alberta, drawing close to 15000 fans every August. It’s setting in the city of Canmore, nestled in scenic valley flanked by the Rock Mountains, is as beautiful as the music.

At $89.50 for an adult weekend pass, the festival is also a bargain. Weekend or Single Day passes are available now for advance purchase with a discount. Additional discounts can be had for seniors, youth, children and families.

For Canmore accommodations just a 5-minute drive from Centennial Park, the BEST WESTERN PLUS Pocaterra Inn is a comfortable and affordable choice. With free breakfast, a spacious indoor pool and a range of convenient amenities, we are your premier folk festival hotel.  

Get off road and challenge yourself in the majestic Rockies at the 2nd Annual MS Bike Tour in Canmore.  On August 24th -25th, thousands of riders  will come together for the Johnson MS Bike Tour-Mountain to raise money to help fund innovative programs, services and research dedicated to finding a cure for Multiple Sclerosis.

The MS Bike Tour is one of the largest cycling series events in North America. Beginning in 1980 in Minnesota, 100,000 cyclists annually participate in one of the 100 rides tours, and have raised over $600 million dollars to date.  Canada’s first MS Bike Tours began in 1989, and since draw 8,000 riders annually to more than 20 Tours. Last year, 900 cyclists in Alberta alone raised almost two million dollars as they pedalled across the local Prairies.

This event is remarkable, not just for raising money, but for increasing awareness of this horrible disease. The two-day tour aims to spread hope amongst victims and their families who need support daily to ease their pain and suffering.  Registration for the 2013 MS Bike Tour is $60, with a minimum fundraising goal per participant of $275.  To learn more about the Johnson MS Bike Tour, check out their website.

To get a sense of what goes on in the rides, view the short, four-minute MS National Promotion Video accompanied by John Lennon’s “Imagine”, which highlights neighbouring Saskatchewan riders enjoying this feel-good activity.

Coming to Canmore for the MS Bike Tour? Book your stay at the BEST WESTERN PLUS Pocaterra Inn.  Before and after the ride, visitors will be amazed by the outstanding facilities of the Pocaterra in which they can relax in the lap of luxury.  Our facilities, amenities and service are first class.

Best Western Plus Pocaterra Inn is more than an excellent place to stay for a night, a week, or even longer. What is special that attracts guests year after year?  We asked around, suspecting that our luxurious rooms and well-thought-out amenities would be the prime answers. They did prove to be the most popular reasons for staying with us, but many guests favour not only their room or suite, but also different spots in the hotel where memories are created or relived.

A favourite Pocaterra spot for many visitors is our breakfast area. We suspect the main reason for this area being their favourite is that Pocaterra, as do many Best Western hotels, offers complimentary daily hot continental breakfasts.   We all know the importance of starting the day right with more than a quick cup of coffee. And, who will object to a free start to a busy day? We suspect Pocaterra’s choices of breakfast items were the main attraction.  We didn’t, however, suspect one dad’s reason for the complimentary breakfast area being his favourite place: as an early riser, he could quickly nab a croissant or two to maintain calm with his kids, who always awake with voracious appetites, pleading to not wait for the family breakfast!

Pocaterra’s indoor pool area is an overwhelming favourite venue for guests of all ages.  Got the family with you?  Join them on the waterslide!  Snowing or cold outside? Ease your way into our hot tub, steam room or sauna:  there’s room for all! Too warm in the hot summer sun?  Jump into our indoor pool for a refreshing swim.  It’s easy to see why guests dream of our deluxe water site and select it as their favourite Pocaterra area.

If you haven’t guessed by now, our Exercise Facility is another popular place to unwind.  Travellers wanting to maintain their physical regimen or relieve stress during their stay take full advantage of our complimentary fitness facility for their workout needs.
Our elliptical treadmill, bike or weight machine also offers a great alternative for your workout when the temperatures drop.  

Our guest rooms of all types appeal to visitors seeking luxurious quarters. Many enjoy their solitude by reading or curling up in their armchairs to gaze through their windows at the spectacular Rocky Mountain views. Alternatively, they take advantage of our Canmore Webcam to see an amazing panoramic view of the area day or night.  They also reserve one of the King Rooms on the top floor, and especially the Executive Suites, for size, comfort, and enjoy the best views in the neighbourhood.  No wonder they qualify as favourite spots at Pocaterra.

The list of favourites at Pocaterra is touched on above, but is never ending. Join us to establish your own personal favourite spots in the hotel, or revisit areas from previous visits which created cherished memories.  Contact our eager staff for suggestions of how they can help maximize your enjoyment, and discover your favourite spot while staying at the Pocaterra Inn.

On April 21st at Banff’s Eric Harvey Theatre, one of the most prolific Canadian bands of the last 25 years will take to the stage to perform songs from their newest record and their deep catalog of moody and melodic tunes. It’s easily the most anticipated concert happening in the Canmore area this spring, and one that marks the first time in quite a while that Banff has been graced with their presence.

The Cowboy Junkies are a band that defies easy categorization, blending country, blues, folk and rock in experimental ways. This unique fusion of genres, along with their subtle yet intense style, has earned the group countless critical accolades over a nearly three-decade career.

The Junkies’ initial rise to fame centred around their 1987 cover of the Velvet Underground classic “Sweet Jane,” which VU frontman Lou Reed called “the best and most authentic version I have ever heard”. The single reached #5 on the US rock charts, catapulting them into the spotlight and taking the band on a journey that would lead to two dozen albums, two Juno nominations and a spot in People Magazine’s “50 Most Beautiful People” for lead singer Margo Timmins.

Today, the band hasn’t slowed down, releasing a series of four albums since 2010 and embarking on an international tour this spring. Get your tickets for the Banff show soon. And for cozy, affordable lodging in Canmore, just a short drive from Banff, trust the BEST WESTERN PLUS Pocaterra Inn.

Local businesses are an essential part of the cultural and commercial fabric of our community and here at the BEST WESTERN PLUS Pocaterra Inn, we support our town’s vibrant and ever growing array of local merchants. At the upcoming Canmore Trade Fair, hosted by Shop Local Canmore, over 120 of our thriving local businesses will come together to network and show off their fine goods and services. But the event won’t just be all business: it’s a fun, “country fair” style celebration complete with food, entertainment and contests for all to participate in.

The fair takes place on May 11th and 12th at the Canmore Recreation Centreand the Canmore Golf and Curling Club. Admission is just $2. Or, if you donate 2 cans of food for the Bow Valley Food Bank at the door, you can get in for free. If you’re a local business wanting to get in on the action, exhibitor space is still available—and affordable, too. Booth selection is on a first come, first served basis, so consider booking soon to get a spot with good exposure.

Activities at the fair include quilting, egg decorating, Lego building, and more. There will be a variety of tasty breads, cupcakes and pies from JK Bakery to satisfy your hunger. And for those with a bit of competitive spirit, there will be a pie eating contest, a fastest texter contest and “diaper derby” baby races.

If you’re attending the Trade Fair and seeking cozy lodging in Canmore, consider the BEST WESTERN PLUS Pocaterra Inn, just minutes from both the rec centre and the golf club.

Using the Pocaterra Inn as their base, travelers visiting Canmore over the weekend of May 10 and 11, 2013 are guaranteed to celebrate their best Mother’s Day ever.  The luxurious hotel and its amenities would make staying here worthwhile if guests never set foot out of the hotel.  The indoor pool and waterslide, hot tub, steam room and sauna alone would make for the most relaxing getaway desired.

Pocaterra goes one step further.  It offers an unforgettable Romance Package to be enjoyed by guests and their loved ones.  The Romance Package features two of Canmore’s major attractions, the One Wellness Spa, and Gauchos Brazilian BBQ.

Before or after their refreshing spa treatment, guests can take advantage of another delightful feature included in their Romance package: a candle-lit dinner for two at Gauchos Brazilian fine restaurant in downtown Canmore.  Excellent service and wonderful cuts of beef or chicken and other delicacies assure couples of a fantastic meal.  They will savour their experience while discovering the meaning of “Brazilian”, which enters all aspects of their sumptuous meal.  

Pocaterra’s package does not end there. A bottle of wine and chocolates await the loving couples when they return to their room.  What more could you ask for?

A Mother’s Day Weekend in Canmore does, in fact, have much more to offer.  To offset full course gourmet meal and spa treatment, visitors are invited to join over 2,000 active ladies in the Rocky Mountain Soap Women’s Walk and Run.  The Rocky Mountain Soap Company is Canada’s leader in 100% Natural Bath and Body Products. Their annual event appeals to women of all ages and fitness levels.  10km events occur on both Saturday and Sunday.  Saturday also features a Mountain Half Marathon, and Sunday also features 5km runs, walks and stroller jogs. Well-being stations dot the course.  Proceeds go the Pink and Green Ribbon, a charitable foundation.   Full details of the course, location and registration details, for which participants are advised to complete soon, can be found at http://www.rmswomensrun.com/.

There is also the Banff Rocky Mountain Wine & Food Festival held at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel.  Besides another opportunity to indulge in gourmet cuisine, visitors will want to explore new products and menus in the Grand Tasting Hall.  Favourite local and international wines, spirits and an array of other beverages can be enjoyed in the presence of experts. To purchase your tickets for this event, please visit www.celebratewinefest.com.

Your Mother’s Day Weekend based at the Pocaterra promises to be one which matches bliss with excitement.  Guests always marvel at Pocaterra’s luxurious accommodations and spectacular mountain setting.  Experiencing the Romance Package will convince them to either arrive a day earlier or stay a day...or two...longer!  Contact the office today to book Pocaterra Inn’s Romance Package.

One Wellness Spa, which is located at 187 Kananaskis Way, Canmore, provides the ultimate in opportunities to unwind and get pampered in a 9,500 square foot facility. The Spa promotes relaxation, life balance and long-term health in refined locker and shower facilities, treatment rooms, manicure and pedicure stations as well as studios for fitness, Pilates or movement.  Best yet, Pocaterra’s Romance Package includes a voucher entitling guests to a treatment of their choice!