Top things to see and do in Vermilion

Vermilion might not be on everybody’s radar, but it should be—the community is a cultural melting pot

by Breanne Massey — February 29, 2012

Horse racing is one aspect of culture in Vermilion, but there's so much more to this vibrant community. — Photo courtesy Mary Lee Prior

Vermilion is a small town with big opportunities and a vibrant culture.

Vermilion lies between Edmonton, Clandonald and Lloydminister, and you can easily access the area, Vermilion River County. The economy thrives based on agriculture, but there are many other interesting elements.

The town is best known for the annual agricultural fair, and for former resident Becky Scott, who placed first in cross-country skiing at the Olympics in 2002.

1) Wildlife

Birdwatchers flock to Vermilion to look for more than 100 species that frequent the area. If you’re lucky, you’ll spot owls, Canada geese and great blue herons at Vermilion Provincial Park. This park provides a spectacular home for many other animals too; you might even get the opportunity to see white-tailed deer, porcupines, squirrels and ducks.

The park is open all year, and in the summer many people choose to camp here.

2) Hiking

Vermilion boasts having roughly 23 kilometres of hiking trails in the area, plus there are additional trails for cross-country skiing and horseback riding. Five kilometres of paved pathways that are suitable for rollerblading, biking or wheelchair use.

For more information check out Wild Rose Trail, Cathedral Trail, Fescue Trail and Lakeside Trail on the Vermilion website.

3) Restoration

Vermilion Provincial Park has a fully restored CN train station, and it’s often used to host community events.

4) Vermilion Agricultural Fair

The Vermilion Agricultural Society hosts an annual celebration of the social and agricultural aspects of the community. The fair aims to inform families about the demand of agriculture in the rural community of Vermilion. This year’s theme is Celebrating Family Farms and Fun, and the event will take place between July 26 and 28, 2012.

For more information visit the website.

5) A taste of history

An enormous amount of history about the Vermilion area is displayed for visitors in the Vermilion Heritage Museum.

For more information about the museum, visit the website.