Coulee Fest a hit with young and old alike

By Lethbridge Herald on September 16, 2025.

Four-year-old Kinsley Hamilton rides a wheeled toy pony at the K3 Seeds Pony Cyle (Hop) Races during Coulee Fest 2025 at Lethbridge Polytechnic Saturday. It's her favorite attraction at Coulee Fest and is a very popular among "children" of all ages. The ponies come in three sizes: toddler (tiny), child and adult.

Joe Manio
Lethbridge Herald
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Lethbridge Polytechnic’s annual Coulee Fest community-wide celebration and summer send-off was back and better than ever; gathering students, alumni, faculty and the Lethbridge community for a day of free family-friendly fun and connection at the polytechnic campus Saturday.

Coulee Fest originated in 2017 to celebrate what was then Lethbridge College’s 60th anniversary and has since become an annual tradition, showcasing local talent, businesses, and community spirit through music, food, markets, and various interactive displays. 

There was something for everyone of all ages at Coulee Fest, including monster truck rides; a petting zoo; big truck zone; and a variety of displays by Lethbridge Polytechnic departments; different food trucks; an artisan vendor market; beer garden and live entertainment. 

The monster truck rides were back for a second year and was probably the biggest draw at Coulee Fest, with families waiting in line for as long as an hour-and-a-half to take a fast and often dusty spin on a big green behemoth named “Area 51.”

There were also many less-dizzying and arguably much calmer family-friendly activities such as arts and crafts, pony hop races, and other engaging options for children. Pony hop racing was a popular activity for “children” of all ages and sizes (the wheeled ponies ranged in size from toddler to adult size).

Sarah Hamilton was there for her third Coulee Fest with her family, which included four-year-old daughter Kinsely and her younger brother Noah.

“We love coming here…it feels bigger (this year),” says Hamilton. “This year the monster trucks and more booths. It’s just fun for the whole family. Kinsley goes straight for the horses when we come. She remembers them from two years ago. It’s her favorite.”

After several hops on the ponies, Kinsley made a beeline with her family for the petting zoo to greet the live ponies and other critters there. 

Coulee Fest’s goals include fostering community connection; student welcoming and support; showcasing local talent and businesses; celebrating Lethbridge Polytechnic; providing family-friendly fun; and supporting community operations (with partners like the City of Lethbridge).

Of course large annual events like Coulee Fest rely on a small army of staff and volunteers, which consisted of Lethbridge Polytechnic faculty, staff, students, plus their family members and friends.

The Gentle Giant Acres petting zoo, which was another very popular Coulee Fest attraction, was staffed by members of the Lethbridge Polytechnic Kodiaks women and men’s soccer team. Third-year student athlete Abbey Leusink was one of them.

“We were (volunteering) over at arts and crafts when they said they needed a couple of volunteers here. I’ve always loved animals so I said I’d love to come over,” says Leusink. “Coulee Fest is a good way to get involved with the community and get to know people who could possibly become (Kodiak) fans or people who just enjoy being around the Polytechnic.”