1. Edmonton Fringe Performers Parade | Aug 14 | 7:30 pm
The Fringe Festival will continue through August 24, but you won’t want to miss the kickoff with the Performers Parade. Performers offer a fun and unique preview to their shows by interacting in character with spectators. The parade starts in front of the Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market and will move through the Fringe grounds. Opening Celebrations start at 8 pm in ATB Financial Park and feature a performance from Winnipeg’s The Noble Thiefs (yes, it’s supposed to be spelled that way), who add a fresh flair to soul-centric rock sounds.
Click here for more info and to view a map of the Performers Parade.
2. AGA’s 90th Birthday Party | Aug 17 | 12 pm – 4 pm
Alberta’s oldest cultural institution, the Art Gallery of Alberta, is celebrating their 90th birthday on Sunday with a day of family-friendly art activities. Admission is “Pay What You May” by optional donation, and visitors can create balloons, decorate party hats, have their faces painted, and mould plasticine sculptures.
Art Gallery of Alberta, 2 Sir Winston Churchill Sq., 99 St. & 102A Ave., 780-422-6223
3. Dragon Boat Festival | Aug 15-17
Watch as impressive athletes maneuver massive, elaborately painted Dragon Boats up the North Saskatchewan River in a series of exciting races! Enjoy the friendly races on Friday evening, before getting fired up for the semi-competitive races early Saturday morning that cumulate in the exhilarating medal rounds on Sunday.
Visit the website for more information.
4. Edmonton Latin Festival | Aug 16-17 | 12 pm – 11 pm
Add some Latin flavour to your weekend with this two-day outdoor festival with live music, dancing, and authentic Latin foods. Events include a Shake it for the Cure! Zumbathon, dance showcases of salsa and mambo, and a late-night DJ Latin Dance Party! Admission is free, and there will be an artisan market showcasing Latin wares.
Churchill Square, 9918-102 Ave., visit the website for more details.
5. Edmonton Blues Festival | Aug 15-17
Located in the scenic River Valley in Hawrelak Park at the Heritage Amphitheatre, the 16th annual Blues Festival features headliner Robert Cray and top blues acts that will shake the house with everything from funk to zydeco. Click here for more details and tickets.
6. The Canadian Derby | Aug 16 | 11 am
Spend a day at the races! Northlands features horse racing all summer long, but the 85th Anniversary of this prestigious tournament is the biggest racing event in Western Canada. Grade III horses from across the country race a distance of one and three-eights miles for an impressive purse sum.
Northlands, 7410 Borden Park Rd., 780-471-7210
