The West Hillhurst Community Association (WHCA) is proud to be celebrating its 75th Anniversary with the first-ever Grand Trunk Festival on Saturday, September 16, 2023, a three-part event, in the heart of the community.

To kick things off, a Retro 1940s Movie Night will be taking place on Thursday, September 14th at 8:30 pm at The Plaza Theatre in Kensington, screening a Humphrey Bogart classic, “The Treasure of Sierra Madre.”

On Saturday, September 16, 2023, the Festival and Market, a free one-day celebration will take place from 10 am to 5 pm at 1940 – 6th Ave. NW with two live music stages (with featured acts by The CoraZones, Elle McAndrews, Rocking Chair and more), a local market, beer gardens, food trucks, a kids zone, and a vintage automobile show.

The festivities will come to a close with a grand finale on the evening of Saturday, September 16 with a big Concert and Party at the West Hillhurst Community Centre, headlined by the ‘Mocking Shadows.’ 

The West Hillhurst community was known in the early 1900s as Grand Trunk to honour the impact the railway had on Calgary’s development. The first playgrounds were developed at 23 St. and 5 Ave. and 21 St. and 2 Ave. NW and the historic Grand Trunk School on 5th Ave. opened in 1912. The parks and school are still standing and in use today.

More information on the history of the West Hillhurst Community Association here and to learn more about the festival visit: Grand Trunk Festival.