Latest news with #EDBA
CTV News
5 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
New entertainment district open on 104 Street
Visitors to the Downtown Farmers' Market enjoy a live music performance. Dogs on leash are allowed to attend, too. (Galen McDougall/CTV News Edmonton) The City of Edmonton launched a new Entertainment District on Saturday. The new pedestrian-only space runs along 104 Street between Jasper Avenue and 104 Avenue. Visitors will find live entertainment, as well as food and drinks – including alcohol – they can buy and consume anywhere within the district. It will be activated during the Downtown Farmers' Market on Saturdays during the summer, between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. 'The Entertainment District bylaw creates even more of a positive impact on the businesses bordering our public events like the Farmers' Market by allowing patrons to buy drinks inside and enjoy them out on the street,' said EDBA CEO Puneeta McBryan. 'This supports our efforts to create a vibrant place to live, work and play by supporting the restaurant sector and providing fun, exciting experiences for Edmontonians and visitors.' Edmonton's first entertainment district was opened last year on Rice Howard Way as part of a pilot project. It was awarded the 2024 Economic Developers of Alberta award for best renewal project. 'The addition of another District will infuse even more energy and enthusiasm into the heart of our city,' Tom Girvan, director of Downtown economy said. More information on the entertainment districts can be found on the city's website.
Calgary Herald
5 days ago
- Business
- Calgary Herald
Pop-up entertainment district bylaw brings vibrancy, giant patio concept Downtown
New pop-up entertainment districts are bringing vibrancy to Edmonton's Downtown, thanks to a new bylaw and some out-of-the-box thinking by the Edmonton Downtown Business Association. Article content Article content Every Saturday between now and Thanksgiving weekend, for example, there will be at least one place and time where you can stroll with a beer and a dog in the city's core while browsing market bounty. Article content Article content It's the Edmonton Downtown Business Association's extension of the Downtown Farmers Market, courtesy of a special licence closing the road and turning that whole 'pedestrianized' multi-block section of 104 Street by Kelly's Pub into a giant patio Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in market season. Article content 'What we're really trying to achieve here is to continue to support our businesses and make Edmonton Downtown a vibrant place. It is really great to see that our businesses are able now to sell more of their products to all of the shoppers, not just the ones that want to enjoy their patio or inside the restaurant,' said Quinn Phillips, director of marketing and communications for the EDBA. Article content 'This gives the people the ability to grab a cocktail somewhere, and then come out onto the streets and drink it within the entertainment district,' Phillips said. Article content Article content 'I think that every business is really excited, because it does just drop into the area and increase vibrancy in the area. I think that everybody is very excited to see this happen and just continue to create different ways for people to enjoy Downtown.' Article content If a business wants to put on a street event, they can seek a road closure (with city approval), and then the entertainment district template can be implemented. Article content For example, the new bylaw means EDBA's Winterval festival can go from a beer garden with a sole vendor to a licensed massive patio where existing brick-and-mortar businesses can sell their drinks for people to enjoy as they meander the street in search of handmade beard balm (Crowsnest Pass fragrance, or perhaps eau de Old Strathcona), bear claws, crocheted crustaceans, or custom cat perches.
Edmonton Journal
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Edmonton Journal
A fond farewell to Downtown Spark, but the summer party is just getting started
Designs in Air's monster art installation is seen munching the top of the Shaw Building on 105 Street in Edmonton, on Friday, May 27, 2022. The art is part of Downtown Spark, which runs from May 26 to June 5, 2022 at Rice Howard Way & Alex Decouteau Park. Photo by Ian KucerakPhoto by Ian Kucerak Postmedia Edmontonians will remember the delight of spotting giant inflatable monsters peeking over rooftops downtown — moments that sparked joy, curiosity and plenty of selfies. For many, those playful installations were the heart of Downtown Spark, a public art festival born from pandemic necessity and powered by community spirit. But after four vibrant years, the Edmonton Downtown Business Association (EDBA) is officially saying goodbye to the festival. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by David Staples, Keith Gerein and others, Oilers news from Cult of Hockey, Ask EJ Anything features, the Noon News Roundup and Under the Dome newsletters. Unlimited online access to Edmonton Journal and 15 news sites with one account. Edmonton Journal ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by David Staples, Keith Gerein and others, Oilers news from Cult of Hockey, Ask EJ Anything features, the Noon News Roundup and Under the Dome newsletters. Unlimited online access to Edmonton Journal and 15 news sites with one account. Edmonton Journal ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors 'It's been an honour and a joy,' said EDBA CEO Puneeta McBryan, reflecting on Spark's legacy. 'Downtown Spark was born out of a really hard time, but it became something truly magical — a celebration of creativity, boldness, and the spirit of Downtown Edmonton.' From the very first Root 107 pop-up park in a vacant lot in 2021 that offered food trucks, outdoor seating, and even pizza delivery from Boston Pizza, giving Downtown workers and residents a much-needed space to gather, to the whimsical rooftop monsters that turned downtown into a citywide scavenger hunt, Downtown Spark created memories as unforgettable as they were unexpected. Those installations, however, came at a cost. Each big art installation required tens of thousands of dollars and significant logistical co-ordination. While EDBA had support over the years from the City of Edmonton as well as provincial partners, that level of funding is no longer available. Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The festival was originally supported by COVID-19 recovery funding, and its May timing helped fill a seasonal lull downtown. But with economic recovery funds no longer available and spring now buzzing with Edmonton Oilers playoff energy, the EDBA has made the tough call to retire the event. 'Some of what we were doing with Spark is really outside of our mandate as a business association,' McBryan said in an interview with Postmedia. 'As we look at our core mandate and the services that our members really need and things that are sustainable, that are longer term … it became clear that Downtown Spark just wasn't feasible for us to keep doing it.' Vibrant summer schedule That doesn't mean the vibrancy Downtown is fading. Instead of concentrating activities into a single festival, EDBA will stretch events throughout the spring and summer. The Rice Howard Way Entertainment District, piloted last year, will return as the Summer Block Party Series, with curated experiences planned for June 7, July 19 and August 17, aligning with Pride Month, the Great Outdoors Comedy Festival, and the Edmonton Marathon After Party, respectively. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. These smaller, more manageable events keep the spirit of Spark alive, McBryan said. 'A lot of what people were coming down for during Downtown Spark — to see local musicians, to be with the community, to hang out on Rice Howard Way — all of that is still happening,' she said, adding the Summer Block Party Series last year featured 73 local entertainment acts. The popular Edmonton Downtown Farmers Market is also back this year, kicking off on Saturday, May 17 and running every Saturday until Thanksgiving on historic 104 Street. After stepping in to organize the market at the last minute last year, the EDBA saw more than 18,000 attendees over the season and hosted more than 60 vendors. This year, with more time to plan and greater public awareness, interest has surged. More than 100 vendors have already expressed interest, promising an even bigger footprint in 2025. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. As for Downtown Spark's legacy? 'Hopefully people will share their favourite memories and favourite photos of the last four years,' McBryan said. 'It's really been our joy to put this festival on.' And while Spark may be ending, its spirit will linger — in the music, laughter, and foot traffic that return to the heart of the city each summer day and weekend. cnguyen@ Read More Bookmark our website and support our journalism: Don't miss the news you need to know — add and to your bookmarks and sign up for our newsletters here. 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