In midst of construction and class action lawsuit, Marda Loop businesses prepare for summer street festival
Article content
This year marks the 40th annual Marda Gras, and is expected to attract more than 35,000 visitors from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. to the retail-oriented strip for a day of live performances, shopping, interactive activities and food trucks.
Article content
Article content
Article content
Article content
'It's just something that has always been supported and loved,' said festival manager Shannon McNally. 'A lot of the business owners also live in the area, so it feels like a very holistic neighbourhood where the businesses are very invested in the neighbourhood as well, and vice-versa for residents.'
Article content
While it was originally called Summerfest, the event was rebranded in 1987, drawing inspiration from New Orleans' famous Mardi Gras celebration.
Article content
The festival will take place along 33rd Avenue, from 18th to 22nd Street S.W. It will feature more than 200 local vendors, four performance stages, a kids' quarter with family-friendly games and activities, a pet pageant that features costumes, photo ops and fundraising for Parachutes for Pets, and an interactive zone that showcases community groups, artists, and local businesses.
Article content
Article content
'One thing that's really stayed the same is the heart of the people who love and call Marda Loop home,' McNally said. 'I think it's really important to celebrate this anniversary and reflect on the changes and transformation, but also to remember what makes Marda Loop such a wonderful place to live and work. And that's the people.'
Article content
A free shuttle will be available to take attendees to Marda Loop from the Military Museums and other nearby parking areas. There will also be a bike valet at 18th Street offering to park bicycles and scooters for those who arrive on two wheels instead of four.
Article content
While it's a celebration of Marda Loop, this year's festival will occur under the backdrop of construction struggles and an impending legal battle, as storefronts grapple with the effects of a city-led initiative to bury utilities under 33rd Avenue.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBC
3 days ago
- CBC
Marda Loop residents hopeful for return to financial stability
In Marda Loop, years of construction have taken a toll on local shops, forcing some to close their doors. But on Sunday, the streets were filled with music, costumes and crowds for the annual Marda Gras street festival, leaving some hopeful for the future of the community.
CTV News
4 days ago
- CTV News
Marda Gras: Calgary's longest-running street festival turns 40
Thousands of Calgarians joined in to help celebrate a birthday Sunday -- of a street festival, not a person. Marda Gras, the city's oldest street festival, turned 40 and added a few new twists to celebrate Marda Loop's Business Improvement Area (BIA), which also turned 40. Festival manager Shannon McNally said the event was crowded with vendors, an extra stage in the kids' quarter, free face painting and the annual Pet Pageant, followed by a dog show. 'There's lots of local businesses participating, artisans, food trucks, kind of something for everybody," McNally said. Marda Gras, Aug. 10, 2025 Marda Gras, Calgary's longest-running street festival, Sunday Aug. 10 (Photo: Tyson Fedor, CTV Calgary) As far as being Calgary's longest-running street festival, McNally said community engagement for the event continues to be strong. 'It's very supported by the community,' she said. (It draws) lots of residents and neighborhood people come out, but it's also a draw for Calgary citizens at large as well." The festival runs on 33rd Avenue from 22nd Street to 18th Street Sunday through 5 p.m.
Calgary Herald
6 days ago
- Calgary Herald
In midst of construction and class action lawsuit, Marda Loop businesses prepare for summer street festival
The annual Marda Gras street festival will take over four blocks of 33rd Avenue S.W. this Sunday, offering some hopeful respite for beleaguered businesses that have contended with construction-related woes in recent years. Article content This year marks the 40th annual Marda Gras, and is expected to attract more than 35,000 visitors from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. to the retail-oriented strip for a day of live performances, shopping, interactive activities and food trucks. Article content Article content Article content Article content 'It's just something that has always been supported and loved,' said festival manager Shannon McNally. 'A lot of the business owners also live in the area, so it feels like a very holistic neighbourhood where the businesses are very invested in the neighbourhood as well, and vice-versa for residents.' Article content While it was originally called Summerfest, the event was rebranded in 1987, drawing inspiration from New Orleans' famous Mardi Gras celebration. Article content The festival will take place along 33rd Avenue, from 18th to 22nd Street S.W. It will feature more than 200 local vendors, four performance stages, a kids' quarter with family-friendly games and activities, a pet pageant that features costumes, photo ops and fundraising for Parachutes for Pets, and an interactive zone that showcases community groups, artists, and local businesses. Article content Article content 'One thing that's really stayed the same is the heart of the people who love and call Marda Loop home,' McNally said. 'I think it's really important to celebrate this anniversary and reflect on the changes and transformation, but also to remember what makes Marda Loop such a wonderful place to live and work. And that's the people.' Article content A free shuttle will be available to take attendees to Marda Loop from the Military Museums and other nearby parking areas. There will also be a bike valet at 18th Street offering to park bicycles and scooters for those who arrive on two wheels instead of four. Article content While it's a celebration of Marda Loop, this year's festival will occur under the backdrop of construction struggles and an impending legal battle, as storefronts grapple with the effects of a city-led initiative to bury utilities under 33rd Avenue.
