5 things to do in Edmonton this weekend
After a one-week break, we're back with your 5 (plus a few extra) things to do in and around Edmonton this weekend.
Festival season
What: Even though it feels more like winter, it is technically fall festival season, so I’ve got two quite different options for you:
- For those seeking rustic and family-friendly fun, St. Albert Grain Elevator Park is the place to be on Sunday, Sept. 14 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be a petting zoo, live music, grain elevator tours and games for the kids – and for the grown ups, there will be a beer sampling tent set up by Alley Kat Brewing Company
- If you’re looking for a little more action (think roller derby, wrestling, Latin dancing, karate and fireworks), head to the Delwood Community League (7515 Delwood Road) in northeast Edmonton on Saturday, Sept. 13 for a free and eclectic festival featuring a market, beer gardens, bouncy castle, dunk tank “and much more” (seriously, there is a lot happening at this festival).
Work out for a good cause
What: You have two options for philanthropic exercise this weekend: gorillas or hope.
- There is still time to register for Saturday’s Gorilla Run, a free 5-kilometre fun run that raises money and awareness on behalf of African gorillas. Oh – and many racers will be dressed up in gorilla suits. There will also be a 1-kilometre “Little Gorilla” race for young apes.
- The Climb of Hope Run, benefiting the Cross Cancer Institute, is a walk/run with a little something extra – the extra being a lot of stair-climbing and rock’n’roll music. There are 3.5 and 5.5-kilometre routes, and participants are encouraged to dress in their best rockstar gear. The race highkicks off on September 13 at 8:30 a.m.
Watch a good old scary movie
What: The Metro Cinema at Garneau is playing Creature from the Black Lagoon the way it was also intended - 3D (but old school blue-red style, none of this fancy James Cameron stuff). The 1954 classic tells the story of a team of intrepid scientists who find more than they reckoned on during a trip to the Amazon.
When? September 12 at 7 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.)
Alberta Avenue comes alive
What: Artists collide this weekend on Alberta Avenue for the Kaleido Family Arts Festival. The free event will include music, dance, theatre, film, literary and visual arts – with performances happening on rooftops, in back alleys, on walls and indoors along 118th Avenue from NAIT to Northlands.
When? September 12 to 14
Homegrown festival
What: The brainchild of a group of die-hard Edmonton entrepreneurs, the E-town Festival at the Shaw Conference Centre celebrates and encourages creativity, innovation and “disruptive thinking” on the topics of “technology and humanity.” Now back for its second year, speakers at the event will include HayleyWickenheiser, Bob Nicholson and RaineMaida and cover topics like media management, networking and motivation.
When? September 11 and 12
Odds and ends
What: There’s so much happening this weekend, I didn’t feel right confining my list to only five items. Here’s a mishmash of other events you could check out:
- The final What the Truck of the season will happen in Churchill Square on Friday night
- Whyte Avenue will be holding its annual Red Shoe Crawl, giving you the chance to try out a variety of culinary delights on Sunday
- The specifically-named Edmonton Mid-Autumn Lantern Festival brings together mooncakes, storytelling and lanterns at Churchill Square on Sunday
- Visit a private loft for a silent auction, libation and music with MINBID Art Loft - Episode 1
