Another full weekend of entertainment and family fun is coming our way during Cochrane Culture Days, thanks to the Cochrane Integrated Arts Society and our vibrant arts community.

It's being held in conjunction with the Cochrane Farmers' Market on Saturday, Sept. 10, and the Fall Colours Show & Shine in the Historic Downtown on Sunday, Sept. 11.

Saturday, the main stage opens at 10 a.m. at the Cochrane Farmers Market outside of the Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre. Scheduled performers include the Cochrane Pipe Band, the Stoney Mini Thni Dancers, and Band on the Bow Concert Band.

Between the performances, local authors will be reading excerpts of their works.

It wraps up with a drumming circle with One World Drum.

"They'll be bringing 21 djembes and other drums and we'll have chairs for people to sit in," explains Jane Kazcmer of the Cochrane Integrated Arts Society (CIAS). "It's like a drop-in, just come in, sit down in the drumming circle and enjoy it."

The Balloons and Butterflies balloon twister will be there creating fun balloon shapes for the kids, and Amber’s Face Painting will happy to give anyone a new persona.

Sunday, the main stage reopens at 11 a.m. with a performance by Six By Six at the Centennial Plaza on 1st St. W. There's a full program of jazz, folk, fusion, country, Dixieland bands, and readings by local authors.

While there, you can also roam the Historic Downtown and view some incredible rides in the Fall Colours Show & Shine that's being presented by the Cochrane Classic Car Club. Just how many vehicles will be there depends upon the weather, but when the sun shines, there's been hundreds of vehicles to check out in the past.

Once again, face painting and balloon twisting will happen at Centennial Plaza.

They'll also be a tipi-raising on Sunday at 115-2 Ave. across the street from Cochrane Coffee Traders. It's being lead by a group of people from Cochrane and Stoney Nakoda who are working to establish an Indigenous Centre in Cochrane.

The tipi-raising begins at 10 a.m. and is expected to last about two hours. A performance by the Mini Thni Dancers follows at 2 p.m.

Jane Kazcmer, of CIAS, says the best part of this year's event is continuing to expand upon the collaboration with other mainstay activities in the community, like the Farmers' Market. Last year they did work together with the classic car club on the Sunday.

"That way we bring some entertainment and augment their event, which they're glad to have, and we're glad to go and support and collaborate with them."

Since organizing their first Cochrane Culture Days, CIAS has shone the spotlight on different aspects of our thriving performing and visual arts community.

You can find a detailed schedule of activities here.