Hamlet of Hairy Hill

Hairy Hill is located where the buffalo used to roam, which is where the unique name of the hamlet finds its historic roots. Herds of buffalo often sunned themselves on the picturesque hills of the area and had rubbing wallows where large amounts of their hair accumulated. In the 1900s when the CPR laid its tracks, they found all the buffalo’s hair on the large hills and named the hamlet Hairy Hill. The original hamlet site was located two miles south of its present location but was relocated to be closer to the railway. You can get to the hamlet of Hairy Hill by heading north from Vegreville on AB-857 for about 35 kilometers.

Hairy Hill is in close proximity to one of Northern Alberta’s largest feedlots, Highland Feeders Ltd., which is proudly registered with Verified Beef Production, part of the national On-Farm Food Safety program for beef. With the utilization of the integrated bioRefinery ‘Future Fuels,’ an innovation-based renewable energy company, they now operate one of North America’s largest anaerobic digesters. Highland Feeders is amongst Canada’s largest feedlot operations and has received several awards for industry leadership and environmental practices.

Hairy Hill Annual Rodeo

Due to COVID-19, this year’s edition of the Hairy Hill Rodeo has been cancelled.

The event has been held for more than 30 years and is widely anticipated by spectators and participants alike. Crowds normally get warmed up with the Rodeo Kids Wild Pony Race, the Wild Horse Race, Wild Cow Milking, Silent Auction, Dance. Free parking and camping are available.

Located 17 miles north of Vegreville on Secondary Highway 857 and five and a half miles east on Township Road 552, the Hairy Hill Rodeo is a “must-see” event packed with thrills and excitement for the whole family.