Medicine Hat inherited its name from the native word, Saamis, which means Medicine Man's Hat. There are a number of legends which tell the story of how this city was named. One legend tells the story of a young warrior who must sacrifice his new bride for the good of the tribe. Another legend tells of a Blackfoot brave named Eagle Birth who sacrifices a man after a merman comes to him in a dream promising him great bounty. Pleased with the offering, the merman gives Eagle Birth all the birds and the animals and a great teepee.

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 Parks around the city:

Medicine Hat has often been called the "Oasis of the Prairie". Four major parks and over 68 other parks are connected by a system of trails stretching over a length of 90 km.

Echo Dale Regional Park is a 35-acre oasis. The park has 2 man-made lakes in a beautiful river valley setting. You can lay on the beach, go for a swim or try out the paddle boats. There is also a fully restored, turn-of-the-century 2-storey log home, complete with farm animals, barns and a blacksmith shop, and the AJAX coal mine mueseum.

Police Point Park & Interpretive Center is a beautiful park that is a 400 acre natural reserve. Learn more about the grassland flora and fauna at the Interpretive Center, and take a nice leisurely stroll along the trails.

Strathcona Island Park is located along the banks of the South Saskatchewan River. This park is great for the family. There is a water playground for the kids, walking and biking trails, boating and a fishing pond, and excellent picnic facilities.

Kin Coulee Park is 100 acres of playgrounds, picnic areas, and walking trails.Seven Person's Creek flows through this spacious park, and it is located just off of highway #1.

Riverside Park is in the heart of downtown. This park features a brick mural by artist James Marshall, and it depicts the history of Medicine Hat and area. It is a great spot to sit and relax as well as it hosts the annual Spectrum festival, which celebrates the coming of summer.

Cypress Hills Provincial Park is located 70 kms southeast of Medicine Hat. Elkwater Lake is a great spot for ice-fishing in the winter and water-skiing and golfing in the summer. The park has sandy beaches, a concession, and a picnic area for visitors and a well-equipped marina with docking for over 70 boats. For winter enjoyment there is cross country skiing, and down hill as well.

Medicine Hat is a small town atmosphere with big city flair. There are many things to do in Medicine Hat especially in the recreation department. In total there are 8 Ice Centers, 8 Swimming Pools, 3 Waterslides, and 24 Baseball Diamonds. There is never a shortage of activities, including the Family Leisure Centre.

Attractions

Spectrum Festival is the party of the year in Medicine Hat. Every year in June the festival is held to celebrate the coming of summer. There is fun for all ages in a weekend jam-packed with beach volleyball, street dances, beer gardens, and a Food Fair bound to satisfy any cravings. All weekend there is face painting for the kids, as well as story telling and some crazy antics by the clowns. Street performers entertain, and Sunday is kid's day with the children's festival. Be sure to come and be our guest and be prepared to enjoy the weekend to the fullest.

Cultural

There are 8 cultural centers in the city of Medicine Hat. Together they provide a wide variety of information and entertainment.

1. Clay Products Interpretive Center
2. Echo Dale Historic Farm
3. Medicine Hat Museum and Art Gallery
4. Medicine Hat Public Library
5. Cultural Center and Assorted Theatrical Groups
6. World's Largest Teepee
7. Medicine Hat College
8. Esplanade (Center for the Arts) Open 2005

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Fun 4 Kids

Medicine Hat is a city for families. It is the kind of place that you would like your children to grow up in. There is a such a wide variety of activities for the kids to do, they have no time to be bored.

• Panorama playcenter
• Bowling - Connaught Bowling Center
• Waterslides
• BMX Track
• Bike and Walking trail
• Mini golf
• Go-carts
• Waterpark playgrounds
• Lots of summer daycamps
• 4 regulation golf courses, plus 2 par-3 courses.
  

Exhibition & Stampede

The Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede is the second largest in Canada on the Pro Rodeo Circuit. Top features are the Pro Rodeo, Midway, Casinos, Parades, Free Stage Entertainment, Trade Show, Petting Farm, and Professional Night Shows. Enjoy the beautiful park and pioneer resored village. The stampede runs from July 30 - August 2.

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