The Rise Up Hot Air Balloon Festival held by Our Collective Journey received a community vibrancy grant worth $29,000 and are one of 12 local services, clubs and non-profits who received funding from this year's grant program --NEWS FILE PHOTO
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A dozen local community services, non-profits and clubs will receive a portion of more than $100,000 distributed through the 2025 Community Vibrancy Grant program after recommendations from the Community Vibrancy Advisory Board were approved at a recent council meeting.
The annual Rise Up Hot Air Balloon Festival, held by Our Collective Journey, received $29,000 to help continue hosting its multiple-day hot air balloon festival.
This past May, Hatters were treated to three morning flights that featured more than 20 hot air balloons simultaneously lifting off from four separate locations. The festival also includes a free Community Day featuring several events downtown as well as Balloon Glow events held in the evenings.
The Medicine Hat CORE Association, which offers day programs, outreach services and provides housing for individuals with developmental disabilities, received more than $28,000 to help fund Indigenous Awareness for young children through puppets operated by people with developmental disabilities.
Word of mouth of the numerous ongoing good deeds performed by local skateboarders has not gone on deaf ears, as the advisory board awarded $19,000 to the Connections Intercultural Association and Medicine Hat Skateboard Association.
Members of this group came together to host this year’s two-day Canada Day celebration, as well as collecting menstrual products for the Root Cellar’s End Period Poverty outreach campaign.
MHSA has also been recognized with the 2025 Community Spirit Award of Excellence in the “Change Maker” category, and will be presented an award Oct. 8 at the Esplanade.
The six-day annual JazzFest received $16,000.
Annually the festival attracts world-class jazz talent for several performances around the city including a variety of clubs and pubs, as well as free outdoor performances.
The Spectrum open air community festival, which celebrates local music with live concerts and food trucks held in Kin Coulee Park, was provided $14,500. The free summer festival celebrated its 34th anniversary over three days of live musical performances at the end of May.
The Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede received a grant for $12,000 to help host the annual Old Tyme Christmas. The annual free event includes a barbecue, family activities, sleigh rides and a visit from Old Saint Nick to kick off the Christmas season.
The Medicine Hat Folk Music Club has also been provided a grant for $10,000 to help fund the annual Tongue on the Post Festival. The winter music folk festival celebrated its 20th year this winter and includes dozens of live musical performances at several venues across the city, including intimate concerts held in the historic brick beehive kilns at the Medalta Pottery museum.
The local SafeLink Alberta program received a grant for $10,000 for its Building Bridges project, a free community education program designed to empower individuals and service providers with the knowledge and tools to reduce stigma and support underserved populations in the community.
The Southeast Alberta Chamber of Commerce received $5,000 for its annual Midnight Madness shopping event during the Holiday Season.
The Alternative Waves Music Festival received more than $4,000 to support the two-day alternative music festival featuring talented acts from the Canadian underground music scene.
The Prairie Pride Guild of Medicine Hat and District received a $4,000 grant to help fund its annual festival and other special events that celebrate diversity, promote acceptance and strengthen community bonds.
The Medicine Hat Kiwanis Club received $1,500 to help fund its Family Day activities held at Police Point Park in February, which includes wildlife kit building and a scavenger hunt, as well as a large outdoor fire with free hog dogs, cookies and hot chocolate.
The funding, which totals $100,500, was awarded from the Community Projects and Activities stream and the Annual Festival and Special Event stream of the Community Vibrancy Grants’ total funding budget.
The city also offers Community Microgrants as well as Family and Community Support Service Grants. More information on how to apply can be found on the city’s website.
