EDMONTON – It’s shaping up to be a hot Canada Day long weekend in the Capital Region, with our Global meteorogist Nicola Crosbie forecasting a high of 31 degrees on our country’s 146th birthday.
Other than a small chance of a late evening or overnight thunderstorm on Saturday, she says the greater Edmonton area can expect to enjoy a weekend of sunny skies, and temperatures around the 30 degree mark.
Here are some ideas for how you can spend your Canada Day weekend, while enjoying the great summer weather:
1. The fireworks, of course, will be lighting up Edmonton’s skies at 11 p.m. The City has provided some good viewing location options, which include: the Alberta Legislature Grounds, Victoria Park (River Valley Road), Ezio Faraone Park (west entrance to High Level Bridge on 109 St. north), Dantzer’s Hill (below Queen Elizabeth Park), and Government House Park (Groat Road & River Valley Road).
You should expect traffic delays in the area two hours before the fireworks and 90 minutes after the show. People are encouraged to use the city’s transit system. All ETS bus routes will be operating on their regular Sunday schedules, while the LRT will operate on a 10-minute schedule all day.
There will also be another fireworks display in Mill Woods park at 11 p.m., along with other family activities taking place there starting at 1 o’clock.
2. The celebrations at the Alberta Legislature Grounds are always guaranteed family-friendly fun. This year the free festivities kick off at 7 a.m. with a free pancake breakfast. At 11:55 a.m. there will be a 21-gun salute, which will start off the welcome ceremony. And from 12:30 – 7 p.m., visitors will be able to enjoy live entertainment from more than 20 acts. The Legislature building will also be hosting an open house from 12:30 – 4:30 p.m. Food trucks will be on-hand to make sure you don’t go hungry.
3. From 1 – 4 p.m. at City Hall, there will also be free Canada Day activities like live music, dancing, kids crafts, and more.
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4. Fort Edmonton Park lets you go back in time to celebrate Dominion Day, which is what Canada Day was called up until 1982. Visitors will be treated to free cake (while it lasts), a taste of the city’s history, plus a parade at 1 p.m., as well as music and games.
5. For those in the mood for some culture, the Art Gallery of Alberta is offering free admission from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. In addition to an array of Canadian art, kids will be able to have fun with some Canada Day-inspired art activities until 4 p.m.
6. If you’re in the Boyle McCauley neighbourhood, you have two free Canada Day events to choose from: a community league barbecue at Boyle Street Plaza from noon until 2 p.m., as well as a Chinatown Night Market on Harbin Road (in front of the Chinatown Multicultural Centre) from 4 to 9 p.m. The latter will feature traditional entertainment, arts and gift sales, and food trucks. (102 Ave. will be closed to vehicles between 95 St. and 96 St. for the event.)
7. Those in the north side of the city can come out to the annual North Edmonton Canada Day celebration at Borden Park (located at 112 Ave. and 73 St.). The festivities will include free hotdogs, pop and cake from noon until 4 p.m.
8. Cool off in one of Edmonton’s outdoor pools.
9. Spend a day at the Edmonton Valley Zoo, where red and white cupcakes will be served on what it also Lucy the elephant’s birthday. There will also be family activities and entertainment for families to enjoy from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
You can also do Canada Day crafts or get your face painted red and white at the Muttart Conservatory from noon to 4 p.m.
10. The annual Canada Day Road Race is sure to get your heart racing for our nation’s birthday. The race director has all the details about the event in the video below:
Here’s what’s happening outside the city:
Director of Cultural Services for Spruce Grove, Lawrie Seligman has the details on what the community has planned for Canada Day:
Amber Rudiak and Melanie Larson tell us about what Sherwood Park will have to offer on Monday at Broadmoor Lake Park:
In Fort Saskatchewan, more than 10,000 people are expected to fill Legacy Park for free Canada Day festivities. Guests will be treated to a pancake breakfast, a parade, and plenty of other entertainment. A fireworks display will finish off the day.
Aside from the Canada Day-themed activities, there are also a number of festivals going on over the weekend. Rapid Fire Theatre’s Improvaganza festival wraps up on Saturday. The Edmonton Jazz Festival ends Sunday, and The Works – North America’s largest art and design festival – goes all weekend.
If you know of any other Canada Day events, post them in the comments below or tweet @TrishKozicka.
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