Here is a partial list of Big Things you might encounter on the roads in Alberta, and the towns and communities in which they tower.
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Animated Bear – Innisfail Badminton Racket – St. Albert Baseball Bat – Edmonton Baseball Glove – Heisler Bear – Jasper Bear vs. Swan – Swan Hills Beaver – Beaverlodge Bee – Falher Big Head – Canmore Big Horn Ram – Grande Cache Bison – Wainwright Black Diamond – Black Diamond Blue Heron – Barrhead Brown Eyed Susan flower – Hughenden Bucking Saddle Bronc – Ponoka Cowboy & Rooster – Airdrie Tinman, Blue Heron – Barrhead |
Grizzly Bear, Angus Shaw – Bonnyville Metal Buffalo, King Kong – Calgary Grizzly Bear, The Big Head – Canmore Kinosoo Totem Poles – Cold Lake Cowboy – Cochrane World’s Largest Western Boot, Dove of Peace – Edmonton World’s Largest Badminton Racket – St. Albert UFO Data Centre and Landing Pad – St. Paul Dingman #1 Oil Derrick – Turner Valley World’s largest Tractor Weathervane – Westlock Wood Bison Gateway – Not specified in the sources World’s Largest Mushrooms – Vilna Smoky Lake Pumpkin Park – Smoky Lake Peter Fidler Statue – Elk Point World’s Largest Mallard Duck – Andrew World’s Largest Ukrainian Sausage – Mundare World’s Largest Pyrogy – Glendon Angus Shaw Statue – Bonnyville |
Cost: It’s free to visit the Big Things.
Best Time to Go: Summer, when the road tripping is good.
Official Site: Wikipedia has a complete list of the Giants of the Prairies.
Getting There: By road, obviously.
Notes from Robin: When I was ticking off The Great Australian Bucket List, I discovered they also have a hankering for Big Things Down Under. Big lobsters, big bananas, you name it. Economic benefits are a primary motivator for small towns to adopt, build or maintain a Big Thing. The objects or sculptures serve as unique landmarks, offering a distinctive form of branding and identity to the town, capturing the imagination and attention of visitors who are usually just passing through. Hopefully they’ll pull into town, eat in a local restaurant, and use local services. There’s a lot of pride in a Big Thing, especially in Alberta. If anyone manages to tick them all off, get in touch and share the accomplishment!
Overview
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