Spotlights in the Calgary sky? What are they?

Factual Questions
1

I live in Calgary, Alberta, and many nights I see spotlights that light circles in the clouds. They move around quite quickly, but stay in the same general area. I’m in the mid-northwest and they are to the east of me, so they could be coming from downtown.

I’m curious what they are, what they do, and why!

Thank you very much for replies in advance!

2

They’re coming from east-end downtown, perhaps as far east as Inglewood. It’s obviously one of those trailer-mounted spotlight do-hickeys that they put in front of new bars and such. Their purpose is to attract attention. Worked good, eh?

Could be coming from what used to be Dusty’s Saloon. Stampede’s a comin, ya know.

3

Ah, yes; searchlights. We have plenty of those here, too. They’re mainly at car dealerships and grand openings, etc.

It’s amazing how small the whole set-up is – the lights themselves are about the size of a pickle bucket, and four of them fit in the back of a pickup truck.

Here is an example of the apparatus used.

4

Those theaters near Signal Hill (going from memory here) had searchlights setup before. I don’t know if they do anymore though… Haven’t lived there for 5 years now.

5

Cowboys night club used to have the spotlights set up out front on a regular basis. I agree with Morkfromork that it’s probably at Outlaws (formerly Dusty’s).

P.S. Welcome aboard, Thylacinewas taken. There should be more Calgarians here!

6

I’ve seen those damn lights on and off since I was a little kid; more than 20 years now. They come out in the summer, and there’s always a set coming from the downtown area. I saw them just last night - the set of 4 that do the clover-leaf pattern…

Just checked, they’re not on tonight. Last night was Saturday, so they appear to be a weekend thing. In that case it’s most likely associated with a bar or drinking night attraction.

This coming weekend the Stampede will start, so I’m gonna go out one night and track those things down. I will report back when I find them. We can plan the strategic slingshot assault once I’ve gathered the proper intellegence :D.