Crowsnest Pass Doors Open & Heritage Festival 2023 "Connections-Corridors"
Doors Open and Heritage Festival August 3 - 7, 2023
This annual event coincides with the Heritage Day long weekend. All of our Heritage Facilities will be open.
Things to do in Crowsnest Pass
August Long Weekend Festival 2023
August Long Weekend Festival 2023
August Long Weekend Festival 2023
Discover all of Crowsnest Pass' unique culture, heritage & history.
Self Guided Walk
August Long Weekend Festival 2023
August Long Weekend Festival 2023
Explore our historic stories.
Driving Route
August Long Weekend Festival 2023
Driving Route
Discover the Crowsnest Pass
Discover Crowsnest Pass Heritage
Discover Crowsnest Heritage
This visual identifier captures the Pass through the mountains. The river or highway (white) at the base of the mountain takes you through the pass. The mountains (blue) contrast the forest (green) and the sky (orange), which also represent the history of the region. The crow graphic is positioned in the foreground and crest of the valley and is viewing the activities below. The crow is central to this "Pass" logo. This colourful logo is bordered by a traditional crest, a classic highway signage shape representing travel and tourism.
The Roxy Theatre
by: Howard Vandenhoef
This year marks the 75th Anniversary of the "The Roxy Theatre." Starting its life as a different theatre in 1908 called the Palace Theatre in a building adjoining the Palm Cafe at the end of 17th Street across from the Grand Union Hotel. Owned by the Cole family at the time, it was the centre for live entertainment and movies for the town of Coleman.
In 1947 the theatre was purchased by the Purnell Brothers; unfortunately, it burned down in 1948. The Brothers quickly rebuilt the Theatre, this time in the spot where the Palm Café used to be and renamed it the Roxy. The theatre was rebuilt in 2 parts, a front brick building where the lobby is and a large auditorium made from a World War 2 army surplus quonset with a seating capacity of 338. In 1950 there was another fire that was quickly repaired.
The Roxy was purchased by Joe and John Dobek in 1962, operating it as a mixed-use for performances and movies until 1993. Ralph Thurn operated the Roxy as a live event venue before selling it in 2001. The Roxy had not been occupied since 2003.
In 2021 the Crowsnest Cultural and Recreational Society (Crowsnet Cando) purchased the Roxy with the focus on restoring it as a multi-use facility for the performing arts and the local Heritage inventory, and it is in the process of being designated a Provincial Historic Resource. Cando continues fundraising and seeking grants to help pay for the restoration efforts. If you are interested in donating to help with restoration efforts, please visit: www.crowsnestcando.ca