Latest news with #MardaGras
CBC
11-08-2025
- Entertainment
- 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.
Global News
11-08-2025
- Business
- Global News
Thousands of Calgarians turn out for ‘Marda Gras'
Ongoing construction didn't stop thousands of Calgarians from attending the 40th annual Marda Gras street festival on Sunday. Taking place in the southwest community of Marda Loop, it's the longest-running street festival, according to festival manager Shannon McNally. She was excited to see so many Calgarians turn out. 'It's just great to see the community, residents and citizens at large here in Calgary coming out and supporting such a beloved event.' Plenty of staple events like the annual pet pageant returned this year and McNally said more space was reserved for additional entertainment. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'We have extended a block, we have from 18 to 19 Street activated this year,' McNally said. 'We are offering a bike valet; we also have another stage within our kids' area – just having family entertainment.' Story continues below advertisement With hundreds of retailers, restaurants and local makers lined along the closed-to-traffic roadway, many stalls sported orange signage boasting that their business was part of the community. 'That's really the purpose of this event,' explained McNally. 'To bring the community out and experience local business and what the street has to offer so that on a regular day, they can come back.' Over the past two years, much of Marda Loop has been undergoing construction, causing headaches and confusion for residents and businesses alike. Bob van Wegen, executive director of the Marda Loop Business Improvement Area, says despite those headaches, the investment has transformed the neighbourhood. 'It's really something – there's so many more businesses here now than when I started,' van Wegen said. ' I think one of the reasons is, we've got so many people living in the area now… people love Marda Loop, people want to live here, and it's a great place to work, shop and play.' Organizers estimated that more than thirty thousand people would attend Sunday's event.
CTV News
10-08-2025
- Entertainment
- 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
08-08-2025
- Entertainment
- 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.
