Coats on Finlay back Saturday to warm the Hat

By ANNA SMITH Local Journalism Initiative on October 16, 2025.

Coats and other winter wear lines the fencing along Finlay Bridge during last year's Coats on Finlay event. As is always the case, residents are encouraged to donate gently used items or come Saturday to pick up whatever they may need.--NEWS FILE PHOTO

asmith@medicinehatnews.com

Coats on Finlay returns this weekend for its eighth year, ensuring that everyone in Medicine Hat has winter wear for the coming cold.

Starting at noon on Saturday, residents can leave their old cold-weather gear, including coats, scarves, hats, mittens, boots and even blankets on Finlay Bridge for others to pick up, or they can simply come to shop for needed winter gear free of charge.

Organizer Helen Snortland stresses that the event is for anyone, whether they need the gear or simply are seeking to update their winter wardrobe.

She says they have already received a large number of donations from those who will be out of town on the day of the event and are anticipating having a large number of items available for people and families to take.

“The community is taking it over at this point,” said Snortland. “We just kind of put the date out there and get things initially organized. We’re so appreciative to everyone for what they do to keep this going for all these years.”

Coats and items will be available overnight and collected at 8 a.m. on Sunday.

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