In east central Alberta, near the Battle River valley, the progressive community of Wainwright sits only 57 km (35mi) west of the Alberta-Saskatchewan border. Founded in 1908 as a western divisional point for the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway, the village was incorporated as a town in 1910 after the population had doubled in only two years. Wainwright's jump-start and much of its history is linked with the railway, even its name comes from General William Wainwright, the second Vice-President of the GTPR. Just outside of town, the Department of National Defense maintains a training establishment for the Canadian Army known as Camp Wainwright. The camp was used as a prisoner of war facility where over 1000 German officers were interned from 1945 to 1946. Camp Wainwright is now one of the primary training areas in Canada and regularly hosts international exercises. In 1921, oil and gas were discovered in the area and have since become important industries for Wainwright. However, agriculture still remains the town's primary industry.

There is much to do in Wainwright. It features an 18 hole golf course, a community theatre company and the massive, multi-use Communiplex. At the end of June, the Wainwright Stampede attracts a lot of attention with its good old-fashioned rodeo excitement, a chuckwagon race and a spectacular parade. Buffalo Days takes place in the fourth weekend of August; this is a time to celebrate the heritage and culture of Wainwright.