🐻 Bear Alerts & 🌍 G7 Lockdowns: Is Banff Too Wild This Week?

Hey Banff! Here’s What’s Happening This Week!
It’s a wild week in Banff - literally and politically. 🐻 Several recent bear encounters near Lake Minnewanka have park officials urging everyone to stay sharp on wildlife safety. It’s definitely time to pack that bear spray and refresh your trail smarts.

At the same time, the G7 finance summit rolls into town, bringing security checks, temporary closures, and a bit of diplomatic drama. Expect some delays and keep an eye on local updates if you’re moving around town or heading into the park.

Despite the disruptions, there’s still lots to enjoy this week, and we’ve got all the details lined up below.

🏔️ Banff in Brief - Headlines this Week

🐾 Black Bears Tear Tent Near Lake Minnewanka - Campgrounds Closed
A mother bear and cub shredded an empty tent, prompting closures and a heightened warning along the popular trail. Full story

🐻 Recent Bear Incidents Prompt Safety Reminder for Park Visitors
With multiple bear encounters reported near Lake Minnewanka, officials urge hikers and campers to brush up on bear safety basics before hitting the trails.

🛍️ Banff Farmers Market Returns Weekly to Central Park
Every Wednesday until October, shop regional produce, handmade crafts, and artisan bites in the heart of town. More

🪵 Anxiety and Action as Banff Prepares for Wildfire Season
From chainsaws to community fire plans, locals are scrambling to avoid becoming the next Jasper. Read more

🌲 Part of Vermilion Lake Closed for Loon Nesting
Human traffic is now banned in a sensitive nesting zone to protect vulnerable loon populations. See details

🌍 May 22 Update - G7 in Banff: What Locals and Visitors Need to Know
As part of our regular updates, the G7 finance summit continues to impact daily life in Banff with road checks, trail access limits, and event-related disruptions around town - patience and flexibility are a must this week. Read more

📣 Banff G7 Info Session Set for May 26
Locals can get the inside scoop on what to expect from the global summit at a public meeting hosted by the town. Details

🥞 Nourish Bistro Announces New Summer Hours and Daily Brunch
Banff's plant-based hotspot now opens from 10 am to 10 pm, with brunch served until 2pm every single day. More

🎨 Whyte Museum Showcases the Indigenous Group of Seven
A new Banff exhibit features the trailblazing Indigenous Seven artists who broke barriers in Canadian art history. Read more

🎿 Lake Louise Reveals New Ski Terrain Plans
Tree-clearing begins on Richardson's Ridge as Lake Louise gears up for a massive terrain expansion. Read on

Readers' Choice: Most Visited Links from the Last Issue

• 🛑 G7 Summit: Prepare for roadblocks, motorcades, & media tents in Banff and Canmore

• 🐻 Bear safety tips for hiking in Canmore

• 🗻 Banff: Lake Louise, Moraine, Emerald Lake & Johnston Canyon

🎟️Events, Activities & Live Music 🎸

We keep it short here - head to the events page for full descriptions and links.

Fri, 23rd May

14:00 🧵 Let’s Make Macramé Bracelets! - Banff Public Library, Banff
15:00 🎶 Live Music Afternoon - Three Bears, Banff
15:00 🧘 Well In Banff: Banff’s Yoga and Wellness Festival - Mount Norquay, Banff
19:00 🎤 OESA Jam Nights - OESA Cafe, Banff
19:30 💃 Balkan Greek Night - The Balkan, Banff
20:00 🎶 Live Music Night - St. James’s Gate, Banff
21:00 🕺 Friday Night Dance Party - Dancing Sasquatch, Banff
22:00 🎸 Mo’ Marley - Rose & Crown, Banff
22:00 🎧 Friday Night Live DJ & Happy Hour - High Rollers, Banff
22:00 🌊 Liquid Jungle - Banff Ave Brewing Co., Banff

Sat, 24th May

08:00 🧘 Well In Banff: Banff’s Yoga and Wellness Festival - Mount Norquay, Banff
14:15 🏓 50+ Pickleball - Banff Elementary School, Banff
15:00 🎶 Live Music Afternoon - Three Bears, Banff
16:30 🥂 Summit Social: Our Alberta CPRS Chapters Welcome Event! - Banff Ave Brewing Co., Banff
19:30 💃 Balkan Greek Night - The Balkan, Banff
20:00 🎶 Live Music Night - St. James’s Gate, Banff
21:00 🕺 Saturdays at Sas! - Dancing Sasquatch, Banff
22:00 🎸 Mo’ Marley - Rose & Crown, Banff
22:00 🎧 Saturdays with DJ Palf - High Rollers, Banff

Sun, 25th May

14:00 🎸 Jam Sesh & KM Product Sale with A.N. - Wolf & Bear Mall, Banff
15:00 🧘 Well In Banff: Banff’s Yoga and Wellness Festival - Mount Norquay, Banff
18:00 💪 Fitness Class: Sweat45 - Bear Street Mall, Banff
19:30 🎹 Art of Piano - The Banff Centre, Banff
21:00 🎉 Sunday Funday - Dancing Sasquatch, Banff
21:00 🎧 Banff’s Best Party – Sunday Funday - High Rollers, Banff
22:00 🎸 Brent Lee - Rose & Crown, Banff

Future Events

🎉 Want to see what’s coming up? Our events page has a growing list of future happenings, complete with descriptions and links!

🍺 Happy Hours & Food Specials 🍽️

Below are brief details of all the happy hours we could find in Banff. For more information, visit our dedicated Happy Hour Page.

🍻 Banff Ave Brewing Co (21:00+)
🎖️ Banff Legion (15:00-17:00, Wed-Sat & 15:00-close, Sun)
🫕 Bluebird (16:00-17:00 Sat-Thu, 15:00-17:00 Fri)
🎤 Hello Sunshine (16:30-17:30 Sun, Fri & 16:00-17:00 Sat)
🎳 High Rollers (15:00-17:00 & 22:00- Close)
🌮 Magpie & Stump & El Patio (15:00-17:00 & 22:00+)
🥩 Melissa’s MisSteak (15:00-18:00 Daily; Sun-Thurs, 15:00-18:00 & 22:00-02:00)
🍸 Park Distillery (15:00-17:00 Daily)
🍔 The Eddie Burger + Bar (22:00-Close, Fri-Wed: All Day Thurs)
🍷 The Fat Ox (14:00-18:00 Daily)
🍝 The Old Spaghetti Factory (14:00-17:00 Daily)
🐻 Three Bears Brewery (15:00-17:00 Daily)
⏰ Tommy’s (15:00-18:00 & 22:00- Close)

👋 That’s All For Now 🎬

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