Cochrane’s Ranche Days are happening again this year from Aug. 2 – 3, with activities happening at Cochrane Ranche Historic Site and the Cochrane RancheHouse.
Ranche Days are an event that happens annually to celebrate the legacy of the Ranche that was established in 1881 by Senator Matthew Henry Cochrane.
But this year’s Ranche Days are particularly special.
This year marks the 35th anniversary of the establishment of the Cochrane Ranche Historic Site and the unveiling of the Men of Vision statue, which sits on the site.
Tracy Smyth, manager of recreation, culture and arts with the Town of Cochrane, said, “1979 was when the park was founded and named. This celebration is actually 35 years of Cochrane’s history.”
Smyth said the celebration depicts the values of pioneering and the ranching community and that they have managed to preserve the Ranche thanks to the foresight of our forefathers.
“Cochrane itself has such a deep sense of community history,” she said, adding that there would be many ways to commemorate that history at this year’s event.
The celebrations will start on Saturday (Aug. 2) with an extended Farmers’ Market from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.
That same day, there will also be the unveiling of a mural at 2 p.m. at the Stockmen's Memorial Foundation Library. According to Smyth, the mural was found in the archives of Stockman’s art collection.
The canvas was completed by one of the first female graduates of the University of Alberta College of Agriculture. Smyth said it captures an action packed scene from cowboy trail.
On Sunday, activities start at noon with the military cadets pipes and drums band and Don Hepburn from Stockmen’s Memorial Foundation emceeing the day’s events.
There will also be a special ceremony to recognize and acknowledge the founding of the Cochrane Ranche Historic Site Sunday, as well as the unveiling of the Men of Vision statue. Judy Mackenzie, wife of the statue’s late artist Mac Mackenzie, will be doing the honours of unveiling the statue on horseback during the ceremony.
As Cochrane grows, Smyth said it becomes even more important to have events like Ranche Days, explaining that it “teaches us who we are and gives us a sense of pride for being a Cochranite and an Albertan.”
“We can savor it by looking at and enjoying the Ranche. It certainly brings to mind the ways of the land,” she said.
Smyth explained that it was the site where the cattle industry started in 1881, and the site itself was massive, spanning almost all the way from where it is now to where the Hudson Bay department store is in downtown Calgary.
“I think as a new generation, and even people who will be moving to Cochrane in the future, to be able to explore the Cochrane Ranche – it is really a piece of paradise,” said Smyth. “You can really be in the middle of the Ranche itself and not even see any civilization. You can be in the trees and enjoy the meadows and just the ecology of the area.”
There will be entertainment after the ceremony including the Waltzing Matildas, local talent and performers.
The free event will also feature wagon rides, interpretive tours and food vendors available throughout the day on Sunday.
