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Thousands of frisbee athletes hit Edmonton for Canadian Ultimate Championships
Thousands of frisbee athletes hit Edmonton for Canadian Ultimate Championships

CTV News

time4 days ago

  • Sport
  • CTV News

Thousands of frisbee athletes hit Edmonton for Canadian Ultimate Championships

More than 1,500 athletes will compete in the Frisbee National Championships in south Edmonton this week. CTV News Edmonton's Sasha Pietramala has the latest. Thousands of athletes are descending on Edmonton, hoping to fling their way to victory in the Canadian Ultimate Championships. Ultimate, also known as ultimate frisbee, is a non-contact sport where players fling a flying disc to teammates to get the disc into the opponent's end zone. It's described as a combination of soccer, basketball and football. 'It can be very, very competitive,' said Marissa Gutsch, with the Canadian Ultimate Championships organizing committee. 'There is no ref, it is a self-officiated sport. Players are expected to know the rules, make the calls and work it out on the field with themselves.' The sport isn't one of the most well-known, but it is growing in popularity, according to Gutsch. Edmonton has its own club, the Edmonton Ultimate Players Association, with adult and youth teams. 'We've seen our numbers just from Edmonton grow substantially since COVID-19 because we have more youth being interested in sports that are non-traditional and offer more of a sportsmanship focus,' she added. Players are enjoying the growing pool of competitors, especially in the junior ranks. 'We've only been playing for five years in our club – our club didn't exist before then – so it's a very good experience for all of the new kids to get to experience a high-level tournament and see what it's like to play ultimate,' said Andrew Phillips, a member of the Alberta Cannons team. In addition to sportsmanship, the cost of the sport is also appealing to families. Sean Phillips, an administrator with the Cannons, says between equipment and travel at higher levels, it won't be cheap, but it will be less expensive than other sports like football and hockey. Gutsch hopes the large number of people coming for the competition will be inspired to pick up a disc and try the sport for themselves. Monday to Wednesday is the junior competition with 1,200 athletes competing at Ivor Dent Sports Park. Wednesday through Sunday will see another 1,200 athletes competing in the senior competition. The event is a qualifier for the sport's World Cup in Ireland at the University of Limerick in 2026. With files from Sasha Pietramala

Caribbean culture will take over Edmonton's downtown this weekend
Caribbean culture will take over Edmonton's downtown this weekend

CTV News

time7 days ago

  • Entertainment
  • CTV News

Caribbean culture will take over Edmonton's downtown this weekend

Cariwest Caribbean Arts Festival will kick off its 41st year, celebrating Caribbean culture through food and music. A stage was being set up in downtown Edmonton on August 8, 2025. (Sasha Pietramala/CTV News Edmonton) Cariwest Caribbean Arts Festival organizers are hoping to bring the colour to Edmonton's downtown despite the cloudy weekend weather. Set up was underway on Friday morning in Sir Winston Churchill Square, where the three-day carnival celebrating Caribbean culture will take place until Sunday. Food trucks, market vendors, and live entertainment will fill the square when the festival officially kicks off at 5 p.m. on Friday. The first night will include a costume extravaganza, giving people an opportunity to see the large costumes up close before they are seen in Saturday's parade. Cariwest Caribbean Arts Festival 2025 Merchandise tents are being set up at Sir Winston Churchill Square in Edmonton on August 8, 2025. (Sasha Pietramala/CTV News Edmonton) The parade starts its route at noon, beginning at 108 Street and Jasper Avenue, before travelling east to Sir Winston Churchill Square. The following road closures will be in effect during the parade: Jasper Avenue, between 100 and 109 Street; 99 Avenue, between 107 and 109 Street; 100 Street, between Jasper Avenue and 103A Avenue; and 108 Street, between 99 Avenue and Jasper Avenue. 'Our footprint is growing,' Cariwest President Samantha Alexander told CTV News Edmonton on Friday before the festival, which is in its 41st year. 'It's a testament to the Edmontonians. Everybody knows that we're a festival city. It's a really great time of year. I know that there's many other festivals happening on this same weekend, but we do still get the numbers out.' The Western Carnival Development Association is a non-profit organization that brings the annual carnival to life, with 100 per cent of the board filled by volunteers. Alexander added that most of the parade participants are also volunteers. 'Without them volunteering their time to make costumes and then to come out and participate in the parade, there would be no parade,' she said. Festivities will continue in the square on Saturday until 11 p.m., and from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday. Cariwest Caribbean Arts Festival 2025 Caribbean culture will be celebrated with music and food during the Cariwest Caribbean Arts Festival this weekend. Set up was underway on August 8, 2025. (Sasha Pietramala/CTV News Edmonton) A kids zone will be set up for children ages one to six, which is meant to educate and keep Caribbean culture alive, said organizers. Kids will get to do arts and crafts, and have an opportunity to play steel pan and walk on stilts. 'It's vibrant and very colourful (and) displays a lot of energy and excitement,' Alexander said about the festival's longevity. 'The closer we get to it, everybody just feels this bubbling joy.' A full schedule of events is listed on the festival website. With files from CTV News Edmonton's Sasha Pietramala and Brandon Lynch

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