Cochrane Tourism is offering residents an opportunity to discover how they can spend their entire summer on and along Cochrane’s idyllic Bow River.

It's hosting an Explore Cochrane event at Riverfront Park on June 25 and 26 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on both days.

There's free food, demos, and an opportunity to chat with local tourism partners about recreational opportunities.

During the two-day event at the Riverfront Park, you can:

  • Sign up for tours this summer with Kelsey’s Caravan
  • Rent a SUP from GhostekNorth
  • Try out an e-bike on the Cochrane pathways
  • Sign up for a birding tour with Nature in my Backyard
  • Try your hand at disc golf with the local experts
  • Watch the artists from Route 22 Artist Collective Gallery create along the walkway
  • Learn about water safety with Cochrane Fire Services
  • Explore Cochrane Scavenger Hunt using the new Explore Cochrane app
  • Take advantage of promotions of the Explore Cochrane app

The organization is asking for people to register in advance so they can send out a schedule of events and plan for food supplies.

You can register here.

Three years ago, Cochrane Tourism held its first Explore Cochrane event. Despite iffy weather, the successful weekend saw people enjoy activities like tours, rafting, biking, and frisbee golf. 

Cochrane Tourism executive director Jo-Anne Oucharek says the focus has changed this time, and for good reason. It's something people have been wanting to see and is one of the nonprofit organization's top priorities for 2022.

Acute interest was expressed in a survey conducted last summer and fall on recreational use of the river. Seventy-five per cent of a large sampling of over 2,000 people said they want to use the Bow corridor for recreation, and 60 per cent wanted to see increased recreational opportunities made available.