in the late nineteenth century, a wave of sentiment against the effects of drunkenness was sweeping Canada. As in some of the other provinces, Alberta held a province-wide plebiscite and between 1916 and 1924 banned the sale of alcohol.  Prohibition was not popular in the Crowsnest Pass, however, and a few enterprising individuals began "rum-running", the illegal transportation of alcohol into Alberta from British Columbia or the United States. To counter this activity, the province created the Alberta Provincial Police, and the cat-and-mouse competition between the rum-runners and the APP gave rise to some of the most colorful legends in the Pass. Disguised as picnickers, driving the back-roads, or simply outrunning the APP in powerful McLaughlan cars known as "Whiskey Sixes", rum-running was a risky, dangerous business.

Today this rum-running heritage is celebrated during the four-day-long Rum Runner Days. The 2010 events run from July 15 through 18th.  Activities include a parade, music and dancing, an antique car show, a midway, the famous fireworks display Thunder In The ValleyTM and much more.  All of the major heritage attractions are open.

For dates and details, see the Rum Runner Days own website (external site) and the Thunder In The ValleyTM website (external site). 

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