The Fir & Prairie Barn: a new event venue with a backstory as beautiful as its location

Commentator/Courier Photo Courtesy of Petara Panabaker Photography

By Nerissa McNaughton
Southern Alberta Newspapers

When Patrice and Benjamin Sklarchuk saw that there wasn’t much space in the country to host beautiful weddings and events, they decided to create one.

“Our options were very limited as far as country/rustic venues go,” Patrice says. “We wanted to create a space where couples could enjoy the prairie views and openness of the country while still having a space for beautiful photos and the comfort of an indoor venue.”

With that, The Fir & Prairie Barn was born.

“The name The Fir & Prairie Barn is an homage to both of our roots,”  says Benjamin. “Patrice being from Vancouver Island, she grew up surrounded by Douglas Fir trees on the coast. The floors, beams and posts were sourced from her hometown in BC, so the barn has incorporated Douglas Fir wood into the build.”

Benjamin grew up in Medicine Hat and has a deep love and appreciation for the prairies. Also with the barn being located on the prairies, that part of the name was a natural fit.

The fun fact here is that The Fir & Prairie Barn more than lives up to it’s name – and location. The site is on a working ranch, which brings another level of nature, authenticity, and beauty to the experiences guests have at the venue.

“Life on the ranch is always unexpected,” say the couple. “We always say there is never a dull moment!” There is always something to tend to; always something new to experience. Being surrounded by animals and the openness of the country and seeing God’s hand in everything – it’s been an incredible journey for us as we didn’t grow up in the ranching community. We bought the ranch five years ago in our 20s and never take a day for granted. It was our dream, and we have loved every minute of it. We are able to share a piece of the country with every person who steps in the barn, share a piece of why small ranches are so important and help create a positive mindset and appreciation for what we do and why we do it.”

The venue was completed in March, with the first wedding hosted in August 2026. Bookings are open for 2027 and 2028.

“Guests can expect a fun and relaxed atmosphere with a rustic vibe, beautiful country views with rolling hills, and stunning golden hour. Our horses and cattle will be grazing in the pastures. Our outdoor space is a perfect place to cool down or chat with friends under the twinkle lights, and the Douglas Fir makes for a great dance floor,” says Patrice.

Benjamin concludes, “With the barn venue we’ve built, we also hope to create a market for other local vendors to be supported, such as photographers, beauty artists, rental needs, catering, transport, etc. It is so important to keep small businesses in the county alive and inspire others to create their own niches.”

The Fir & Prairie Barn is located 30 minutes southeast of Medicine Hat.

Learn more online at www.thefirandprairiebarn.ca.