Showing up matters
Summer events remind me why I do this work in the first place.
Published Jul 10, 2025 • 3 minute read
When summer finally arrives in Alberta, it doesn’t sneak in quietly — it bursts through the door with the smell of sunscreen, the sound of kids on bikes, and the unmistakable glow of festival face painting.
This time of year, community events are everywhere: farmers markets, music festivals, cultural celebrations, pancake breakfasts, craft fairs, and outdoor concerts. There’s something about long days and warm nights that helps Albertans come together, and that’s something worth celebrating.
It’s also a reminder that politics doesn’t always happen in a boardroom or in the legislature. Often, the most important work of being an elected official happens on the sidewalk outside the museum, at a street fair booth with local artists, or standing in line for mini donuts next to a family whose main concern that day is whether there will be enough shade at the park.
As an elected representative, I can tell you — these moments matter. When I show up with my team at events like the Highland Gathering, RavenWood, or the multicultural street fair at the museum, it’s not just about smiling for a photo op. It’s about listening. It’s about being reminded of why we do this work in the first place.
Summer events are often where I hear the unfiltered concerns that don’t always make it into formal meetings. It might be a senior telling me they’re worried about wait times for healthcare, a parent asking about specialized supports in schools, or a young person who just wants to talk about their hopes for the future. I can’t schedule those conversations — they just happen when people feel relaxed and connected to their community.
And to be clear, these events aren’t just important for elected representatives — they’re vital for all of us. In an age where it’s easy to feel disheartened by headlines or disconnected from the people making decisions, local events are a powerful reminder that democracy isn’t just about voting every few years. It’s about showing up. It’s about talking to each other. It’s about supporting local artists, buying handmade soap, cheering on the local dance groups, and eating pierogies that smell so good, exactly like your grandmother’s.
These simple joys are also acts of participation.
If you are someone who feels cynical about politics, I get it. But maybe the antidote to that cynicism isn’t to check out — it’s to check in. Walk through your local street fair. Visit the farmers market. Strike up a conversation in line at the pancake breakfast. Sign up for something with Volunteer Strathcona. And when you get to an event, look for the helpers. They’re out there — running booths, setting up tents, volunteering behind the scenes to make our communities better. It’s inspiring.
You might even run into your MLA, your mayor, or a municipal councillor, standing under a pop-up tent with a clipboard and a sincere look on their face, asking how we can help. Tell us what’s on your mind. That’s what we signed up for.
At its best, public service isn’t about titles or speeches — it’s about getting out there and being present. And that’s what summer is all about. So let’s show up for each other. Let’s enjoy these beautiful Alberta days. Let’s celebrate the places we live and the people who make them worth sticking around for.
See you at the Highland Gathering, July 19 and 20!
Kyle Kasawski is the MLA for Sherwood Park. If you have questions about this column or any provincial issues, he would like to hear from you. Find his contact information at kylekasawski.ca
A banger article, Kyle. Let’s celebrate all that is great about the amazing Canadian province we are so fortunate to call home