Medicine Hat’s Historic First Street was brimming with liveliness during the Together Again festival. The heart of the city was filled with various festivities that invited families of all ages to be immersed in the uplifting event with live performances from Canadian headliners and commemorations of diversity in the community.

There was a component of entertainment and gathering that happened every hour, from 1-10p.m., along with a market featuring over 65 local businesses until 6:00p.m., and a beer garden that showcased Medicine Hat’s three breweries and its distillery.

Josie Doll, entertainment and events coordinator, City of Medicine Hat, says Together Again was intended to reunite residents and really celebrate the community’s resilience over the years.

“It’s unlike any event Medicine Hat has ever had. This festival is so multi-faceted, and we hoped those who planned to come stayed until the end of the night for the firework finale,” says Doll. “It really showcased the spaces, businesses, and organizations we have downtown and highlighted what it's like when it's all activated in this way.”

It featured a 600-seat dinner table on Finlay Bridge, an escape room at Medicine Hat Public Library, a portrait unveiling, a celebration of new Canadians, a Municipal Historic Resource announcement, and a main stage with performances from The Royal Foundry, The Northern Pikes, 54-40, and High Valley, along with local bands Taking August and Band of Brothers.

“Events like this are a great way to bring people together and unify our voices,” says Kelli Ireland, marketing specialist, Strategic Management Analysis, City of Medicine Hat. “It helps create positivity in the area and encourages people to experience different elements of our downtown. The area is growing and bears a unique vibe and bringing the community down to experience things like this in their own backyard is really special.”

For this year’s event, the weather was a high of 22 degrees C, and the sunshine was out to warm the hearts of everyone around. 

“A large event like this really shows the spirit of Medicine Hat when we can come together in this way,” says Doll. 

Find more information about the event and the event schedule at medicinehat.ca or Together Again YXH.

| This event was funded by the Department of Canadian Heritage.