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Edmonton Journal

Heritage Festival is back this August long weekend. Here's what to expect and the best way to get there.

Edmonton's beloved three-day multicultural festival is gearing up to welcome visitors this August long weekend, and amid the very hot forecast, attendees can expect the return of some beloved pavilions that've been on hiatus, performances and plenty of food. Article content The festival will be held from Aug. 2-4 at Edmonton Exhibition Lands and Borden Park for the third and final year, set to return next year to Hawrelak Park, which is currently under construction. Article content Article content Article content Rob Rohatyn, executive director of the Edmonton Heritage Festival Association (EHFA), said the organization knew the transition would be temporary and said they are ready to return to the festival's home next year. Article content Article content 'We've been able to collaborate with many groups to make this happen…(There's been) a lot of good feedback in terms of the space, certainly some challenges, but that comes with any space, but we're looking forward to going back.' Article content This year, there will be 67 pavilions at the Heritage Festiva,l with each offering a slice of their home for attendees to experience. Article content Rohatyn said Senegal and Somalia will be brand new this year, both under the newcomers pavilion, which was introduced in 2024 to give new groups the opportunity to participate in the festival. Article content Article content Returning groups that have been on hiatus for a few years, but are now back include Japan, Portugal and Liberia. Article content Article content In 2024, a devastating storm on the Sunday of the festival, forced organizers to make the call to shutdown the final day. The storm inflicted major infrastructure and electrical damage to several pavilions. Article content But despite the unexpected end to the 2024 festival, Rohatyn said it shows how resilient the pavilion groups are and the majority of them are back from last year. Article content 'There were a few (groups) that did have to step away, and they were very transparent and said (they) struggled and are going to need some time to recover, but hope to come back in the future,' Rohatyn said. Article content Edmonton and most of northern and central Alberta are under a heat warning from Environment Canada. Article content Friday temperatures are expected to be a high of 32 C and are expected to exceed 30 C on Saturday until a predicted break on Sunday.