Over 1,500 visitors participated in the inaugural fundraising event at the Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park. The Festival attracted almost 1,000 people to the Beethoven on the Bow, over 300 attended the Grits for Glenbow Gala and BBQ,and nearly 250 runners participated in the Run at the Ranch.
"We are confident and well pleased with the numbers which will support the completion of the Rotary Trail connecting Calgary to Cochrane through the Park. We expect attendance to more than double next year,"said Andy Crooks, CEO of the Glenbow Ranch Pa rk Foundation.
The Festival was supported by the Rotary clubs of Calgary and Area who provided financial and volunteer support that made the event possible.
Corporate sponsorship of the Festival was nearly $130,000 and the live and silent auction raised over $20,000 for the Glenbow Ranch Park Foundation's work on the Park. Without the generous contributions of these businesses and individuals this event would not have been possible.
The GRPF is working with the Government of Alberta to make the Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park one of the greatest urban parks in North America. The Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park is located approximately 35 minute drive west of downtown Calgary, or a 5 minute drive east of Cochrane. The Park protects over 1300 hectares of foothills fescue parkland along the Bow River Valley and preserves and protects significant natural and cultural features. The Park has nearly 30 km of trail of which almost half is paved.
