Filumena

   The Municipality of Crowsnest Pass is located approximately 250 km south of Calgary on the scenic Crowsnest Highway #3 near the British Columbia border and is the largest rural community (6,500 residents) in southwestern Alberta. It is made up of 5 small communities (Bellevue, Hillcrest, Frank, Blairmore, and Coleman) that were amalgamated in 1979.  This amalgamation was the first such unification of communities in the Province of Alberta .  It is situated in a valley surrounded by majestic and pristine mountains and is a “Pass” that provides the only southern road and railway access between Alberta and British Columbia.

    The Crowsnest Pass has the most interesting and fascinating stories to tell of any region in Canada – not only from its uniqueness, but also from its diversity;  from some of Canada’s most catastrophic disasters such as the Frank Slide and the Hillcrest Mine disaster,  to the building of the unprecedented Crowsnest Railroad, to the Sentinel Train Robbery and illegal liquor trade, but most of all, from its rich and remarkable history, sport and culture created by the people that came to the Crowsnest Pass from every corner of the world. For more details about the community history go to the following link. "Click Here"

    Crowsnest Pass Rum Runner Days has been an annual event with parade and events dating back to the 1980’s and has grown in the number of events and activities hosted and brings more and more people to the community every year.   In 1993 the Blairmore Fire Department (Blairmore Smoke Eaters) introduced a colossal fireworks display appropriately named “Thunder in the Valley®” as the sound from the massive fireworks ricochets back to the ground and echoes throughout the Valley.  In 2000, the Sole Survivor Foot Race Society introduced the Sole Survivor Foot Race an event that has grown from under 100 participants to over 400 participants. 

    Crowsnest Pass Rum Runner Days is a family orientated weekend that celebrates our Community’s culture, heritage, history and sport.  It has become an annual weekend celebration for 15 plus years and the Thunder in the Valley will have its 10^th anniversary this year.

    Over the years, the event has grown from a small community event to an event that has a significant economic impact for the entire Community.  Businesses in our Community confirm that the Rum Runner Day Weekend is their most profitable weekend during the year. The economic impact of the weekend not only affects our Community but the surrounding regions as well.  Fixed roof accommodations from Fernie, BC to the Crowsnest Pass to Pincher Creek, AB are fully booked.  The pressure on the Crowsnest Pass for infrastructure to accommodate the thousands of people that come to the Rum Runner Day weekend is now being addressed by a joint committee of the Mayor and Administration of the Crowsnest Pass, the RCMP, the Rescue and Fire Departments, and the Crowsnest Pass Events Association.  To give an example of the magnitude of attendance on the Saturday after the fireworks, vehicles exiting Blairmore number 8000 plus.  A trip from Blairmore to Hillcrest (10 km) would normally take just minutes, but on exiting at midnight from the Saturday evening “Thunder in the Valley”  the trip may take as long as 3 hours.

    It is clear that the Rum Runner Days Weekend is a family orientated weekend that promotes and celebrates the diverse history, heritage, sport and culture of the Crowsnest Pass and its People.  From Opera to the Sole Survivor Foot Race, from Historic Tours to Extreme Bull Riding, from the Symphony to the Slo Pitch Tournament, from the Famous “Thunder in the Valley” to Petting Zoos, the Swim Meet and playtime at the WaterSpray Park at Flumerfelt Park, there is something for everyone.