Central Albertans celebrate Fort Normandeau Days
Published 3:57 pm Saturday, September 26, 2026
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Red Deerians witnessed a staged battle during the 39th annual Fort Normandeau Days this weekend.
Fort Normandeau hosted the two-day celebration on Saturday, Sept. 26 and Sunday, Sept. 27. The event featured live music, art, dance and the staged battles, which showcased black powder guns and cannons.
Todd Nivens, Waskasoo Environmental Education Society executive director, said the central message behind Fort Normandeau is to celebrate the “peaceful coming together of the three cultures that made Central Alberta what it is” today.
Those three cultures are “the Cree and Blackfoot community who were the first people on the land, the Métis buffalo hunters who learned about the various animal crossing routes throughout the river and the trails in the area from the First Nations people, and the colonial settlers who showed up as the western migration happened across the country,” Nivens said.
“At Fort Normandeau Days, we take the time to pause, reflect and really celebrate those cultures.”
Fort Normandeau Days was held during Alberta Culture Days, which was held throughout the month of September.
“There is so much art, culture, diversity, music and performance that this province has to offer. Alberta Culture Days is such a great showcase of that talent,” said Nivens.
“We moved Fort Normandeau Days specifically to this time to be part of Alberta Culture Days. That came along with some Alberta Culture Days funding as a major event. We also got funding from the Department of Canadian Heritage through the federal government.”
Nivens added that the event wouldn’t be possible without volunteers and support from the community.
The Fort Normandeau park and interpretive centre are open to the public from May to October each year. The site offers programming on natural and human history interpretation, environmental education, special events, school, youth group and public programs, rafting trips, sleepovers and day camps. For more information, visit www.waskasoopark.ca/historic-fort-normandeau.