Hatters gathered for the headline performance at the Together Again festival downtown this past September.--Photo Courtesy Randy Feere
As you pass by the south and west sides of the Esplanade you may have noticed the portraits of fellow Hatters. These 122 portraits offer a glimpse into the depth and breadth of our community.
Artist Kat Valenzuela has captured the history, the future, the wisdom, the energy, the struggles, and the light that is Medicine Hat as we were at the end of summer 2022. It turns out we really are a community that likes to go out and be with one another!
This fall we have revelled in being together and have shared many experiences. We started with the Together Again festival where more than 10,000 Hatters came together to celebrate new Canadians, honour our past and experience music from local and headline artists.
So many smiles and so much pride was on display that sunny day in September. The Root Cellar hosted a dinner on historic Finlay Bridge where some of the most vulnerable in our community were able to share a table with Hatters from all walks of life, including our mayor, new Canadians, and maybe even some of you.
The fall just got busier after that with headline entertainers playing on the Esplanade stage, Tigers hockey getting underway and, of course, the four-for-one country concert at Co-op Place featuring Sawyer Brown, Lonestar George Canyon and Doc Walker.
The experiences did not stop with music as more than 10,000 folks headed to Police Point Park to experience the art installation, The Deep Dark. These lighted portals briefly transported Hatters to another dimension all the while allowing them to experience the natural beauty of Police Point Park.
As we transitioned into winter we learned that a little snow does not deter Hatters getting out as we saw a record turnout for Midnight Madness this year. Downtown was alive with music, ice sculpting and Holiday shopping. The Holidays were represented well on the Esplanade stage with many parents, siblings, aunts, uncles and grandparents proudly watched the many local Christmas concerts and plays in the month of December.
So, if our theme for this fall was Together Again, let us resolve to remain together in the coming year. There will be many more events and experiences to ensure we have the opportunities to do so.
Aaron Nelson is the manager of cultural experiences and events for the Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre
