Latest news with #ExploreEdmonton
Edmonton Journal
08-08-2025
- Business
- Edmonton Journal
Jasper wants more Edmonton passenger train links, but is it a railroad to nowhere?
Article content And adding capacity to what the Edmonton station can handle might be a stretch. Article content 'We work closely with all our passenger service providers, to ensure that the operation of the combined freight and passenger services works as effectively as possible,' said Ashley Michnowski, a CN spokesperson. 'We run a scheduled operating model, which means that each train – whether hauling freight or passengers – runs on a certain schedule and we endeavour to run them all on time. Article content 'Any discussions with respect to adding additional capacity in this corridor would have to balance the existing traffic and capacity demands.' Article content But here's the kicker. Article content While Jasper councillors hope that a Jasper-Edmonton route can better connect that town to Edmonton International Airport, the city can't even connect its own rail station to the airport 32 km south off the QEII Highway. Article content Article content The way forward will require dedicated rails. Compass International, a global construction consulting firm pegs the cost of a single track on a stone bed to be somewhere between $1 million to $1.13 million USD. A double-track layout adds about 50 per cent to the cost. Article content That's just the simple cost of the rails, ties, stones and the price of laying it down. If we're trying to build railway in Edmonton, there's the need to acquire land, build overpasses, underpasses or railway crossings. There's the cost of maybe a new station. In 2024, the Business Council of Alberta reported that Canada is the third priciest country in the world when it comes to building rail. In an urban setting, it can average up to $400 million a kilometre to build rail. Article content But Explore Edmonton, the organization charged with promoting this city as a destination for tourism, is hopeful that Edmonton can get commuter rail, plus train connections to Jasper and, yes, even our own airport. Article content Article content Melissa Radu, Explore Edmonton's Executive director of destination stewardship, said increased rail service in the province 'could mean faster and more convenient travel for residents and visitors, potentially leading to increased tourism and business opportunities in Edmonton. Greater connectivity into Jasper would have its benefits as well as part of the larger plan. Article content 'Specific impacts on Edmonton for visitation could include enhanced connectivity to other major cities and tourist destinations, making it easier for people to travel for work, leisure, or to access other parts of the province. This connectivity could also help attract new businesses and investment to Edmonton, as well as boost tourism and related industries.
CTV News
30-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Post-pandemic attendance record leaves KDays in good ‘position' for future, says organizer
Organizers of Edmonton's KDays festival say more than 764,000 people attended the 2025 festival, the biggest number since the pandemic. Organizers of Edmonton's KDays festival say more than 764,000 people attended the 2025 festival, the biggest number since the pandemic. KDays has finally recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic, Explore Edmonton says. The exhibition this year counted a total attendance of more than 764,000, the highest it has been since the event returned in 2022. Former operator Northlands cancelled it in 2020 because of the pandemic and then again in 2021 because of uncertainty about how to deliver an excellent event on a tight timeline and budget. Explore Edmonton took the annual summer exhibition and Farmfair International on the following year. 'I would say we're now recovered post-COVID. We're very happy to be where we are today,' said Arlindo Gomes, Explore Edmonton's vice-president of business development and venue management, in an interview with CTV News Edmonton on Monday. 'It feels great because many businesses struggled post-COVID; I think a lot of events did. And we're really excited about the growth that we've had over the past few years. It positions us well for the future.' KDays' opening day on July 18, which consisted of a pancake breakfast with the premier and a concert by American punk rock band Bad Religion, also set an attendance record, beating 2012's opening-day attendance of 72,500 by some 11,000 people. The G-Eazy and Marianas Trench concerts were sold out, as was the Jazzy B concert, which was KDays' first by a South Asian artist. The latter featured Chani Nattan and Inderpal Moga, a pair from Surrey, B.C. Many of the festivalgoers CTV News Edmonton spoke to this year called the musical acts either the main draw or crucial to the atmosphere. 'You can always hear the music playing,' said 16-year-old Maria Marin. 'It's pretty cool.' 'I love the music. I love when they bring the old hits back,' added longtime attendee Beth Devlin. Of course, many also cited fair rides and food as reasons for attending. However, almost everyone CTV News Edmonton spoke to were annual attendees for whom the exhibition is a tradition they do with loved ones. 'There's a lot of ways to support the local economy here. There's a lot of local restaurants and businesses… Some of the food here is great that you can't really get other places,' said another KDays customer, Laksh Chopra. One Taste of Edmonton attendee said he wasn't planning on including KDays in his list of local summer experiences because he'd rather spend his money elsewhere. 'To be frank, I've been to (Calgary) Stampede so many times,' Isaac Su told CTV News Edmonton. 'I think I'm just kind of over it. It is overpriced to me and so I'm just not willing to spend that extra dollar.' Although KDays attendance was up this year – three per cent, year over year, and the highest since 2018 – it did not beat the all-time attendance record of 816,000 in 2017, according to KDays records dating back to 2007. Explore Edmonton recognizes it has work to do to attract first-time visitors. Gomes said the tourism agency is trying to do this by ensuring the event reflects every demographic in the city. 'Partnerships like the Jazzy B concert on Tuesday night … is a good example of where we're trying to expand that reach and bring in new attendees into the event and create and build those memories and those annual traditions of coming with friends and family,' he said. Sustainable growth remains Explore Edmonton's top KDays goal. Gomes said there's a lot of potential to turn the CKUA stage into a bigger opportunity for local talent. 'There will be certainly a lot of focus on where we take the entertainment component,' he said, but was otherwise quiet about plans for next year. 'We're certainly focused on key areas of enhancing our guest experience and then looking at how we tweak the programming,' he said. 'Our focus continues to be how we can maximize the community impact of this event on our local community.' With files from CTV News Edmonton's Connor Hogg, Nav Sangha, Galen McDougall, Brent Pushkarenko
Vancouver Sun
28-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Vancouver Sun
KDays attendance tops more than 750k: The fest by the numbers
Edmonton's biggest summer festival just wrapped – and by the numbers, KDays 2025 was one for the books. With record-breaking attendance, sold-out concerts, and thousands of corndogs devoured, this year's edition proved the midway magic is alive and well. The annual summer festival, fuelled by North Central Co-op among other business and community partners, attracted more than 764,140 fairgoers, making it the highest KDays attendance post COVID-19, according to Explore Edmonton, the organization behind the event, which called it a major success. 'KDays 2025 was a success, welcoming over 760,000 fairgoers who experienced many memorable moments on the midway,' said Arlindo Gomes, vice president of business operations and venues management at Explore Edmonton, in a release. Get top headlines and gossip from the world of celebrity and entertainment. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sun Spots will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. 'From the KDays Music Fest to Ferris Wheel Fundraisers, Explore Edmonton is so proud of the way the KDays celebrates family and friends, collaborates with community organizations, and profiles Edmonton businesses and their innovations. KDays continues to be a must-experience summer festival and a place that celebrates the spirit of Edmonton.' A look at the numbers from this year's fest: 83,759: The opening day attendance, which surpassed the previous record of 72,495, set in 2012 103,337: The peak midweek attendance, on Wednesday, breaking the daily attendance record of 86,263 set in 2014 3,300: The number of attendees at the Premier's Pancake Breakfast, which saw Danielle Smith flipping flapjacks to kick off KDays 29,811: The number of corndogs that were consumed across the grounds 4: Number of sold-out shows at KDays Music Fest, featuring G-Eazy, Bad Religion, Marianas Trench, and Jazzy B with Chani Nattan and Inderpal Moga 5,000: The number of fans who attended Jazzy B with Chani Nattan and Inderpal Moga, marking the first-ever South Asian act at the KDays Music Fest Music was heard throughout the festival grounds. The CKUA Radio Stage hosted a variety of programming, including local independent music, live wrestling, a strongman competition, Pride Night, the Edmonton BluesFest Concert, and La Cité – Francophone Concert. Over in the newly renovated Klondike Park, guests enjoyed Park After Dark, an evening experience with local DJs, drinks, and a laid-back atmosphere 650: This year, Explore Edmonton partnered with over 650 businesses, community partners, and vendors, showcasing the best the city has to offer 24: The number of local businesses that took part in the Feature Product Program, promoting 46 KDays-themed products that boosted visibility, brought in new customers, and increased both attendance and sales 500: The number of families who turned out for Monday Morning Magic, which featured special guests from the Edmonton Oilers , Edmonton Elks, Edmonton Riverhawks, Edmonton Stingers, and Dr. Patch-Up from the Stollery Children's Foundation 54: The number of hours former radio host Chris Scheetz spent riding the Ferris wheel to raise $70,886 in support of Alberta Dreams Elsewhere at KDays, cultural programming took centre stage at Kiyanaw, the Indigenous Experience Hall, presented in partnership with the Indigenous Edmonton Entertainment Group Association (IEEGA). Visitors were welcomed to explore Indigenous stories, performances, and traditions. Pride Night at the CKUA Stage drew a crowd with Drag Me to the Midway, an energetic show featuring Joey Jay from RuPaul's Drag Race Season 13, Canada's Drag Race finalists' Kendall Gender and Aurora Matrix, and Canada's Drag Race stars Melinda Verga and Perla. At the Discovery Zone, the festival honoured its agricultural roots with a full hall of animals and agri-education, giving urban families a chance to connect with Alberta's farming traditions. KDays 2025 marked the fourth year of Explore Edmonton's Reimagine KDays Strategy. The festival will return July 17 to 26, 2026. cnguyen@
Calgary Herald
28-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Calgary Herald
KDays attendance tops more than 750k: The fest by the numbers
Article content Edmonton's biggest summer festival just wrapped – and by the numbers, KDays 2025 was one for the books. With record-breaking attendance, sold-out concerts, and thousands of corndogs devoured, this year's edition proved the midway magic is alive and well. Article content The annual summer festival, fuelled by North Central Co-op among other business and community partners, attracted more than 764,140 fairgoers, making it the highest KDays attendance post COVID-19, according to Explore Edmonton, the organization behind the event, which called it a major success. Article content Article content Article content 'KDays 2025 was a success, welcoming over 760,000 fairgoers who experienced many memorable moments on the midway,' said Arlindo Gomes, vice president of business operations and venues management at Explore Edmonton, in a release. Article content Article content 'From the KDays Music Fest to Ferris Wheel Fundraisers, Explore Edmonton is so proud of the way the KDays celebrates family and friends, collaborates with community organizations, and profiles Edmonton businesses and their innovations. KDays continues to be a must-experience summer festival and a place that celebrates the spirit of Edmonton.' 83,759: The opening day attendance, which surpassed the previous record of 72,495, set in 2012 Article content 103,337: The peak midweek attendance, on Wednesday, breaking the daily attendance record of 86,263 set in 2014 Article content Article content 3,300: The number of attendees at the Premier's Pancake Breakfast, which saw Danielle Smith flipping flapjacks to kick off KDays Article content Music that moved the crowd Article content 5,000: The number of fans who attended Jazzy B with Chani Nattan and Inderpal Moga, marking the first-ever South Asian act at the KDays Music Fest Article content Music was heard throughout the festival grounds. The CKUA Radio Stage hosted a variety of programming, including local independent music, live wrestling, a strongman competition, Pride Night, the Edmonton BluesFest Concert, and La Cité – Francophone Concert.
Edmonton Journal
28-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Edmonton Journal
KDays attendance tops more than 750k: The fest by the numbers
Edmonton's biggest summer festival just wrapped – and by the numbers, KDays 2025 was one for the books. With record-breaking attendance, sold-out concerts, and thousands of corndogs devoured, this year's edition proved the midway magic is alive and well. Article content The annual summer festival, fuelled by North Central Co-op among other business and community partners, attracted more than 764,140 fairgoers, making it the highest KDays attendance post COVID-19, according to Explore Edmonton, the organization behind the event, which called it a major success. Article content Article content Article content 'KDays 2025 was a success, welcoming over 760,000 fairgoers who experienced many memorable moments on the midway,' said Arlindo Gomes, vice president of business operations and venues management at Explore Edmonton, in a release. Article content Article content 'From the KDays Music Fest to Ferris Wheel Fundraisers, Explore Edmonton is so proud of the way the KDays celebrates family and friends, collaborates with community organizations, and profiles Edmonton businesses and their innovations. KDays continues to be a must-experience summer festival and a place that celebrates the spirit of Edmonton.' Article content 103,337: The peak midweek attendance, on Wednesday, breaking the daily attendance record of 86,263 set in 2014 Article content Article content 3,300: The number of attendees at the Premier's Pancake Breakfast, which saw Danielle Smith flipping flapjacks to kick off KDays Article content Music that moved the crowd Article content 4: Number of sold-out shows at KDays Music Fest, featuring G-Eazy, Bad Religion, Marianas Trench, and Jazzy B with Chani Nattan and Inderpal Moga Article content 5,000: The number of fans who attended Jazzy B with Chani Nattan and Inderpal Moga, marking the first-ever South Asian act at the KDays Music Fest Article content Music was heard throughout the festival grounds. The CKUA Radio Stage hosted a variety of programming, including local independent music, live wrestling, a strongman competition, Pride Night, the Edmonton BluesFest Concert, and La Cité – Francophone Concert.
