They’re calling it a “celebration of conservation, culture and cuisine,” and that’s an apt description of the province’s first bison festival, said the chair of the Bison Producers of Alberta Association.
Parks Canada approached his organization and the Canadian Bison Association to have a bison event at Elk Island National Park, and the scope of the festival quickly expanded, said Thomas Ackermann.
“It was pretty clear very soon that we needed to have native groups involved, artists, conservationists, and manufacturers to have a complete picture of what bison is all about,” he said.
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“We wanted to showcase that bison is on the comeback and there’s a thriving bison industry out there.”
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The event, to be held at the park on Aug. 9 from noon to 8 p.m., will feature live music; bison burgers and smokies; tours and displays; presentations by bison producers, conservationists and First Nations peoples; and “a bison-themed theatrical performance.”
The only fee is the cost of admission to the park.
