Races, garden parties, dog parades and more: What to do this weekend around Calgary

It may be hard to believe, but the final weekend in July is upon us. And if you're still looking for ideas to get you out of the house, and into the heat, our director Tracy Fuller has a few ideas.

Day at the races

This Saturday, Century Downs Racetrack and Casino in Balzac is hosting The Packwood Grand. It's a true celebration of old world leisure and sophistication, with a focus on luxury, horse racing, fashion, food and drink.

This looks like a super fun, high-end affair with champagne and cigars and that type of thing. If you are looking to class-up your weekend with an out-of-town excursion, the Packwood Grand is just the ticket.

The Red Carpet starts at noon, the starting post is just after 1 p.m. and the races wrap up at 5 p.m. There are transportation options, through the National Beer Hall downtown.

Here's all the details.

Garden party

If you want to keep it classy but stay in Calgary, Lougheed House has just the ticket. They're hosting a free garden party on Saturdayfrom 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with live music, a dog parade, house and garden tours, a vintage tea-cup-and-saucer sale and even costumed historic performers, adding a bit of ambience.

If you want to sign upFifi or Fido for the dog parade, you can do that between 11 a.m. and noon, with the parade starting at 12:30 p.m. There will be prizes.

Bocce ball basics

7 years ago

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Up your game this weekend at Lougheed House garden party

You can improve you bocce ball game with a drop-in game that goes from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

You can find all the information you need right here.

Dog lovers

And if you're a dog lover, there's another event that might be of interest.

Pet-A-Palooza gets underway at Eau Claire Market on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Get ready for the annual Running of the Bulls, that's both French and English bulldog races, Dachshund("wiener dog") races, a puppy stampede and dock-diving.

More than 100 exhibitors are going to be there.

All the details are right here.

Cultural festivals

There's a few going on this weekend.

The Calgary Arab Festival takes over Olympic Plaza this weekend. It's a free, family-friendly event where Arab Calgarians share their traditions, folk dance, music, food, customsand arts. Check it out on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Here's some more information on that festival.

Historic Calgary

The Historic Calgary Week kicks off Friday and runs through next week. It's full of walks, talks and tours all over our fine city.

Two of the walks caught my eye this weekend.

Lives, Legacies and Legends of the Calgary Fire Brigade, presented by the Firefighters Museum of Calgary on Saturday morning, and Mystery History 101, presented by the Edworthy Park Heritage Society

Check out the full list of events right here.

Night market

Finally, the Calgary Night Market is taking over the South Centre Mall parking lot on Friday and Saturday night.

It will be filled with local eats and entertainment, along with a variety of artisan vendors, including a geeky selection of anime and comic-inspired booths.

Check out theFacebook event for more information.

Music festival

Calgary's sixth annual celebration of dark electronic, synthand industrial music, the Terminus Festival kicks off Friday running through Sunday at Dickens Pub.

The headliner, The Birthday Massacre, is from Toronto. Other acts include 3Teeth, Pig, The Gothcicles and Rain Within, to mention but a few.

Tickets will be available at the door and you can head over to terminus-festival.comfor more information.

Folk festival

I'm simply saving the best for last. The Calgary Folk Music Festival has finally arrived and what a weekend for it.So many amazing acts from Canada, the U.S. and beyond.

• Don't miss these 5 Alberta artists at the Calgary Folk Music Festival

I have to say, I can't wait to see Coeur de Pirate and John Paul White, formerly of The Civil Wars, Thursday night.

Then on Friday, it's Cris Derksen, Basia Bulat, DJ Shub, Holy Eff and Lindi Ortega, not to mention all the amazing acts hitting the stage this weekend.

Tickets are still available at the gate for every day of the fest.

Springbank Airshow

The Canadian Forces Snowbirds headline this massive two-day event at the Springbank Airport west of Calgary.

The F18 Demonstration Team also returns to showcasethe "professionalism of all of Canada's airmen and airwomen."

And look for Kent Pietsch(Jelly Belly Airplane), Brent Handy (aerobatic pilot), and David Watson and Drew Watson (Yellow Thunder).

In all, there are more than 60 types of aircraft in the air and on the ground.

Tickets can be purchased at the gate, with gates opening Saturday at 10 a.m. Check out all the details right here.