HIGH PRAIRIE

Located approximately 200 km north-east of Grande Prairie, Alberta or 100 km southeast of Peace River, is the Town of High Prairie at the junction of Highway 2A and Highway 749. High Prairie has a population of 2820 people (2006 stats) and serves a trading area of more than 17,000.

High Prairie was first inhabited by the Beaver Nation and was named after the river in the area. Muskatayosipi in Cree meant Prairie River. The first post office opened in 1910 with W. McCue the first postmaster. When the railway came in 1914 a lot of people left Grouard, a short distance from High Prairie, even moving some buildings to this new settlement. The highway was completed in 1928 and later High Prairie was incorporated as a village in 1945. It reached town status in 1950. High Prairie was originally part of the staging route to the Klondike Gold Rush. It has become a major tourist centre.

High Prairie is on the eastern boundary of the Peace Country. The main industries of High Prairie are agriculture, forestry, oil and gas, and service industry.

The High Prairie and District Amateur Rodeo Associations Annual Spring rodeo is held mid May at the Elks Stampede Grounds, approximately 2 km north of High Prairie. It is a two day event. The Elks Pro Rodeo is held in July. It is the biggest event of the summer for this area. Includes pony chariots, rodeo events, chuckwagon races and midway. The Agriculture Fair is held in August at the Stampede Grounds. Includes exhibits, pancake breakfast, and Little Britches Rodeo, petting zoo, log sawing, horseshoe tournament.

Buchanan Lumber, located on the west side of High Prairie produces over 75 million board feet of product each year. Operations include logging, trucking, a sawmill, a planer mill and finger joint plant. In 1965 the operation relocated to High Prairie from the Valleyview area. Today it employs 200-300 people seasonally. (780) 523-4544.

One of the main employers of the area is the Tolko OSB Mill which was built in 1995. Located 10 km west of High Prairie on Highway 2. Has approximately 170 staff and produces 500 million sq. ft. of OSB each year. (780) 523-2101. Other major employers include the Government of Alberta, Buchannan Lumber, Town of High Prairie and Allan's Welding. Feb 2007- Tolko closes its plant putting more than a 100 employees out of work also Ainsworth-Footner OSB Mill in High Level shut down its operation in December.

Events of High Prairie:
High Prairie Aboriginal Heritage Days is held at Jaycee Park on the 3rd weekend in June. Native dancers and musicians. - North Country Fair is held in June, at Joussard 35 km east of High Prairie. Draws over 5000 people and features a wide range of entertainers. - High Prairie Elks Pro Rodeo held in August is a Canadian Professional Rodeo Association sanctioned event. Pro and amateur Rodeo events, Pony Chuckwagons & Chariots, Novelty Acts, Midway, Beer Gardens, Food Booths, Dance, Fireworks, Parade. - Sled Dog Races are held each February in High Prairie.

NOW POSTED:
2012 Events of the Peace Country

The Gordon Buchanan Recreation Centre officially opened on April 4, 2008. Next to it is the Sports Palace Arena. There are special events held throughout the year. 5409-49 Street. (780) 523-4044. High Prairie Curling Association. (780) 523-3588.

The Sports Palace Arena is home of the High Prairie Regals (senior hockey team) NPHL , that challenges other teams in the Peace Country. The 2011-2012 NPHL (Senior Hockey Team) consists of EAST DIVISION: Falher Pirates, Grimshaw Huskies, High Prairie Regals, (Fairview Kings have dropped out), Valleyview Jets and Lakeland Eagles from McLennan. WEST DIVISION: Hythe Mustangs, Dawson Creek Canucks, Spirit River Rangers, Grande Prairie Athletics, Horse Lake Chiefs, Fort St John Flyers.

2011-2012 NPHL Hockey Schedule-Scores-Stats

The FOX, CKVH Radio Classic Hits/Oldies (780) 523-5120
YL Country AM Radio. 610 Peace River.
Kix 106.9 FM High Prairie and Fairview.

Schools:
Holy Family Cyberhigh. 4723-53 Avenue. (780) 523-5237. School Website.
St Andrew's School,4617-53 Avenue, Kindergarten to grade 12. (780) 523-4595. School Website.
High Prairie Elementary, 5701-48 Street, Kindergarten to grade 6, (780) 523-4531. Prairie River School,Grade 7 to 9, 5701-48 Street. (780) 523-4531.
EW Pratt High School, Grade 10-12, 5000-56 Avenue, (780) 523- 3813. Bishop Routhier School (780) 523-2216
Northern Lakes College, High Prairie Campus. (780) 523-6690.
Prairie View Outreach, Grades 7-12. (780) 523-4200.

Town of High Prairie Office. (780) 523-3388. Located in the same building is the School Division Office No. 48. 4806-53 Avenue. For more information on High Prairie visit the
Town of High Prairie website.

High Prairie South Peace News is a weekly paper of the area with a circulation of about 1900, established in 1962. Published every Wednesday. (780) 523-4484.
South Peace News Website.