Scott Subaru’s Adventure at the 2026 AOAE
From June 19 to 21, the Scott Subaru team made its way from Red Deer to the Medicine Lodge Rodeo Grounds near Edson, Alberta for this year’s Alberta Outdoor Adventure Expo, also known as AOAE. We were excited to spend the weekend surrounded by outdoor enthusiasts, overlanders, and adventure-ready vehicles from across Alberta and beyond.
The Alberta Outdoor Adventure Expo is an annual event that brings together people who love camping, fishing, off-roading, overlanding, outdoor cooking, trail preparation, and everything that comes with exploring the outdoors. With exhibitors, hands-on classes, demonstrations, entertainment, and plenty of space to camp, AOAE is built for people who would rather spend the weekend outside than indoors.
This year, the Scott Subaru team arrived at the grounds at around 4 p.m. on Friday, June 19, ready for a full weekend of conversations, vehicle walkarounds, and outdoor adventure. Once we were settled in, we joined the crowd for the opening remarks around 7 p.m., where the tone was set for the weekend ahead. There was a lot of excitement in the air, but as it turned out, there was also a lot of rain on the way.
By Saturday morning, the weather had become one of the biggest parts of the weekend. We woke up to pouring rain, and it kept coming through most of the weekend, not letting up until late Sunday. For an outdoor adventure expo, it was the kind of weather that could quickly change the mood, the schedule, and the turnout. Some attendees made the understandable decision to stay home, while some vendors either stayed home or packed up early because of the wet conditions.
And when we say it rained, we mean it rained. Environment Canada reported that an intense weather system brought heavy rainfall to northern and central Alberta over the weekend. For Edson specifically, the official reported storm total was 49 mm, while third-party reports for the broader Edson area reached around 100 mm. That means the number we heard throughout the weekend was definitely in the right range, especially for the surrounding area.
Still, for those who did make it out, the rain became part of the adventure.
Our booth was ready to go by early Saturday, and despite the weather, we had the chance to meet and talk with visitors and attendees throughout the day until around 4 p.m. We chatted with people about Subaru capability, everyday driving in Alberta, weekend camping trips, muddy conditions, and what makes Subarus such a practical choice for both city driving and outdoor escapes.
One of the biggest moments for our team came Saturday evening with our prize draw to win a yeti beach bag, a couple of t-shirts, a Subaru hat, and a yeti cup. Even with soggy boots, wet jackets, and rain-soaked campsites, people came by, entered the raffle, and shared stories from the weekend. The winner was announced and thankfully was there to pick up their prizes. Then the main raffle began.
All attendees of the AOAE were given a ticket with a number on it. If your number was called, you were given a prize ranging from a basic water bottle to a free rooftop camper. Some notable prizes included a custom wood splitting sword, rifle targets, foldable fire pits, and military grade power banks. The raffle wrapped up around 9 p.m., closing out a long but memorable day at the expo.
By Sunday morning, with the rain still fresh in everyone’s minds, we packed up our booth, loaded our gear, and started the drive back home. After a weekend of mud, rain, conversations, and community, the Scott Subaru team was back in Red Deer by Sunday afternoon.
Even though the weather affected attendance, we were still grateful to be part of the Alberta Outdoor Adventure Expo. Events like AOAE bring together a community of people who are passionate about exploring Alberta, learning new skills, finding the right gear, and connecting with businesses that understand the outdoor lifestyle.
By Sunday morning, with the rain still fresh in everyone’s minds, we packed up our booth, loaded our gear, and started the drive back home. After a weekend of mud, rain, conversations, and community, the Scott Subaru team was back in Red Deer by Sunday afternoon.
Even though the weather affected attendance, we were still grateful to be part of the Alberta Outdoor Adventure Expo. Events like AOAE bring together a community of people who are passionate about exploring Alberta, learning new skills, finding the right gear, and connecting with businesses that understand the outdoor lifestyle.
To everyone who stopped by our booth, entered our raffle, asked questions, or braved the rain to say hello, thank you. We appreciated every conversation and every opportunity to share what makes Subaru a great match for Alberta’s adventurous drivers.
Rain or shine, Scott Subaru is proud to support the outdoor community in Red Deer, Central Alberta, and beyond. We’re already looking forward to the next adventure.