The Mountain View Heritage Centre, just east of Cremona, has been recognized with a 2022 Alberta Business Award of Distinction.

One of four finalists, they were awarded the Community Attractions award, which recognizes a business/organization that has impact/influence on a community by making that community a more attractive place to work, live, visit and play.

Since opening in late 2018, the centre has been a popular destination for weddings and special events. Near to the hearts of their team, though, is their involvement in hosting many community and charity events.

"We've been open less than five years, and we've done over 40 community events in that time," says Heritage Centre president Debora Rice-Salomon.

That long list includes assisting The Walk In Closet, Stars Air Ambulance, Mountainview Food Bank, Magic of Christmas, Habitat for Humanity, 4H, and the Cornerstone Youth Centre.

Their team also goes into the county on special occasions, such as Christmas carolling.

"We get together and create candy bags for every senior in Mountainview County. Then we go out and we carol. For three days we wear costumes, and our county councillor dresses up in a Santa suit. We sing badly, and they don't care."

Just recently, it hosted Mountainview Aggie Days and it's renown for its annual Vintage Tractor Rodeo that's being held on Aug. 28.

Now in its fifth year, it's a fun competition to test the skill and agility of drivers and their vintage tractors. The events offer a witty twist on popular rodeo events.

By far the largest crowd pleaser is "Dunk The Chicken." Two tractors have an apparatus attached, and when they pull away from each other it sends a rubber chicken flying out of a bucket that has to be caught in another bucket without touching the ground.

Other events include a fun run obstacle course, chain challenge, manure mayhem, auger amusements, pole bending, and a ladies barrel race, all using tractors, of course.

The Alberta Business Awards of Distinction recognize businesses/organizations that have demonstrated outstanding achievement and contribution to their community while having developed business acumen and management practices to ensure long-term sustainability

Rice-Salomons and her team accepted the honour at the awards banquet at the Renaissance Edmonton Airport Hotel on June 24. To add some fun to the occasion, they wore colourful feather boas and terras. 

She says they were surprised when their name was called. Other finalists were Lloydminster Agricultural Exhibition Assoc., Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden of Lethbridge, and the Trixstar Live, of Edmonton. 

Homesteaded in 1903 before Alberta became a province, this over 100-year-old property heralds the rich agricultural history of Alberta. Lovingly restored to its former glory, the original house is available for smaller gatherings and weddings hosting up to 40 people.

The barn has been salvaged and, through fine craftsmanship and design, incorporated into the larger Heritage Event Centre capable of hosting up to 600 guests.

The Alberta Business Awards of Distinction recognize businesses/organizations that have demonstrated outstanding achievement and contribution to their community while having developed business acumen and management practices to ensure long-term sustainability. They were created by Alberta Economic Development and Tourism in 1992, and are now funded and presented by the Alberta Chamber of Commerce.