You don’t see much evidence of it now, but for the first half of the 20th century, the railway was the lifeblood of the community. Without the trains, Edmonton would not have grown the way it did.

The historical importance of the railway and its influence on settlement and development is the theme for the 2009 Edmonton & Northern Alberta Historic festival, which runs from July 24th through August 2nd. The festival marks its 13th anniversary this year with a roster that includes hundreds of events, served up by more than 100 “partners in heritage,” ranging from museums and historic sites to churches, communities and associations.

Many of the favourites from the festival’s first dozen years are back, including walking, ghost and bus tours. Lace up your walking shoes and check out some of the great streets and residences in The Highlands, homes and businesses in Beverly and the Provincial Historic Area in Old Strathcona.

Vintage bus rides are back by popular demand for the 11th consecutive year. Tours begin at City Hall and participants ride around the city on the classic bus, enjoying stories, vignettes of local landmarks and historical buildings of the early days of transit, told by a local historical commentator. Tours run on several days through the festival. Visit www.takeets.com for dates and times. The Highlands Historical Society charges just $5 for its walking tours on July 28 and August 1st, and the money raised goes to help with operations of the not-for-profit group. Pre-registration is required at www.edmontonhighlands.ca or 780 474 8044.

Beverly’s hour-long horse-drawn carriage rides are a great way to experience the community’s fascinating history, built atop coal mines. Register by calling 780 413 6244.

At the Edmonton Cemetery, the city’s first and oldest, the Walk through Time Tour provides a glimpse at some of the city’s oldest and most architecturally diverse monuments. Some of the city’s founders and first settlers are buried here, near 107th Avenue and 118th Street. The tour runs July 29 from 7 pm to 8:30 pm.

Among the attractions that expand upon the theme, “Celebrate our Heritage, our Ties,” is the Alberta Railway Museum is an operating railway cleverly disguised as a museum. There is a small prairie railway yard with a station, water tower, maintenance-of-way building and an abundance of fascinating old trains. The museum is a hands-on, climb-on site where visitors can feel, see, touch and even smell Canada’s railway past. It is located at 24215 34th Street, eight km north of 167th Avenue on 34th Street. www.railwaymuseum.ab.ca

The Calgary and Edmonton Railway Museum is a replica of Edmonton’s original station, constructed by the Junior League of Edmonton. The museum’s extensive collection of artifacts and historical photographs tell the story of the exciting days when the first steam trains arrived in Strathcona. Located at 10447 86th Avenue, and open through the summer Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm.

Combine a streetcar ride across the High Level Bridge with a visit to the new streetcar museum at the Strathcona streetcar barn. The museum features photos and artifacts about the history of streetcars, the Edmonton streetcar system and the museum cars of the Edmonton radio railway museum. Through the summer, the streetcar operates daily from 11 am to 4 pm and the museum is open on Saturdays from 10 am to 2 pm. Hop on board at 10340 84th Avenue. www.edmonton-radial-railway.ab.ca

Join historian and tour guide Kathryn Ivany for a look at the captivating history of the Anglican Parish of Christ Church, which is celebrating its 100 anniversary this year. Tours of the church, hall and grounds at 12116 102nd Avenue begin at 7 pm on July 28 and 31st. Pre-registration is required by calling 780 903 7993.

Behind-the-scenes tours are another popular feature of Historic Edmonton Week and this year registered participants will get a peek at the Provincial Archives of Alberta, the Western History Collection at the Royal Alberta Museum and the University of Alberta Archives. Free guided tours at the Alberta Legislature offer up the little known stories of some of the people behind the building and its 100 year history. Phone 780 427-7362; www.assembly.ab.ca/visitor

The Jewish Archives and Historical Society of Edmonton and Northern Alberta is holding an open house on July 28 and July 30 frm 10 am to 3 pm. The archives at 7200 156 Street is the official repository for the region’s Jewish communities. Two documentaries on local Jewish history, crafted by retired CFRN producer Dan Kauffman, will be shown. Phone 780-489-2809; email jahsena@shaw.ca; visit http://www.jahsena.ca

Those are just a very few of the many highlights. Complete listings can be found on the website at www.historicedmonton.ca and in the festival brochure, now available at City of Edmonton libraries, tourist information centres and the festival’s partner organizations. For additional info, call 780 439-2797.

Many of the events during Historic Edmonton Week are priced free or nearly free. “Our participants enjoy sharing what they’ve got and keep admissions low to make it affordable for the entire family,” explains festival coordinator Wanda Bornn. “We all want people to learn about and enjoy history.”