Western Canada’s only militaria show will bring collectors, vendors and curious onlookers together in Calgary on Saturday to revel in their shared appreciation of rare military artifacts.
The Calgary Militaria Shows’ annual event, now in its 10th year, is a one-day public showcase at the Deerfoot Inn and Casino that’s dedicated to the education and admiration of military history through the display and exhibition of military artifacts.
“The average person doesn’t buy anything when they’re visiting the show, they come because it’s a curiosity,” said Martin Urquhart, founder of Calgary Militaria Shows (CMS). “So we want them to see things that you’ll never see, and learn things.”
CMS is organized by the Military Collectors Club of Canada, formed in 1963 to serve as a place for collectors to gather and share all types of military artifacts.
Reid Moseley from Shoulder to Shoulder Militaria sets up his booth as the Calgary Militaria Shows (CMS) marks its 10th anniversary this year at the Deerfoot Inn & Casino Conference Centre’s Sundance Ballroom over the weekend in Calgary on Friday, August 7, 2026.
Katie Dwornik, chair and journal editor for the Military Collectors Club of Canada, believes it’s important for people to know about history.
“I hope they learn, with military history in particular, that it’s something that we should always read about,” Dwornik said. “We should be aware of our history as a people, and we should know what went on and understand that these conflicts might have happened in different time frames.”
For collector Douglas Wheeler, some artifacts stand out because of the personal stories they reveal.
“It was a suitcase from an Air Force pilot, it had his diary in it and he died on the last day of war,” said Wheeler of one cherished memento. “His last entry that he had in there was about how the day before he went out with his friends, they had some drinks, and he was a little hung over and worried that he’d have to go out on a mission. Then he did and never came back.”
“It was his whole life encapsulated in time. His whole suitcase, you open it up and it’s just like it was packed on the day he passed away.”
Doug Wheeler from Knights Cross Militaria sets up his booth as the Calgary Militaria Shows (CMS) marks its 10th anniversary this year at the Deerfoot Inn & Casino Conference Centre’s Sundance Ballroom over the weekend in Calgary on Friday, August 7, 2026.
The connection to personal stories is what organizers hope visitors discover when walking through the show.
“I didn’t even conceive I’d get this far. I was gonna give it five goes to see if I could even make it go, and I’ve lost money every show, but that’s not the point, as long as people are participating,” said Urquhart.
“Every year, subtly, the number of people that come to look increases. That’s success.”
The show is Aug. 8 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., admission is $10 and free for children under 14 with an accompanying adult.