Heritage Days, A Bluegrass Festival, Show'n Shines, Movies & a heck of a lot more!

What’s Up Edmonton! (And surrounding areas)…

Thanks for tuning in. Here’s your local ad-free action report for: Tuesday, July 30 through Monday, August 5, 2024.

I cover: Events & Entertainment happening in & around YEG.

Note: All links are non-monetized. They simply lead to event info.

____________________________________________________________________

If you’re enjoying this informative ad-free publication, please share it with your friends.

Note: If you are hosting a public event, or know of one (that’s perhaps…lesser known), send it my way & I’ll see it into the letter. As a general guideline, we don’t cover anything overly religious, political or outright business advertising (such as sales events). Almost anything else goes.

It’s a sad week for many Albertans, your writer included. My heart goes out to those affected by the wildfires in Jasper. A big thanks to the many heroes who’ve come in from around the globe to obliterate this fire. You folks rock!

News: On a more positive note, there’s plenty to get busy with this week & weekend. Have a good one, and thanks again for being awesome!

Some Things To Do This Weekend:

Tuesday, July 30:

• 10:30 am - 11:30 am | Community Tea & Bannock | FREE EVENT | Connect in the library with friends & neighbours | All are welcome |

• 1 pm - 2pm | Baby & Me (as in… you) | FREE EVENT | Connect with other parents while your little ones play | For kids aged 0 - 18 months |

• 2pm - 4:30pm | Bike Repair Program | FREE EVENT (I think) | Learn basic bike maintenance & repairs | Youth only, preregistration required |

• 6pm - 9pm | Dinner & A Movie | FREE EVENT | Where the Wild Things Are is free for all | Enjoy free pizza if you’re a Garneau Community League Member (otherwise the pizza is not free, but the movie is) |

• 6:30 pm - 8pm | Bon Accord’s Music in the Park | FREE EVENT | Enjoy a concert from a local band or artist |

• 7pm - 8:30pm | Sounds of the Valley | FREE EVENT | Enjoy a concert from local artist Tiffany Sparrow & more | Bring a lawn chair |

• 7pm - 9pm | GameCamp YEG | FREE EVENT | A monthly meeting for aspiring & current game developers of all skill levels | All are welcome |

• Every weekday | Green Shack Shows | FREE EVENT | Various locations city wide | Enjoy two theatrical productions & a balloon show |

• July 29 - August 5 | Irma (AB) Summerspiel | FREE EVENT (To watch) | Enjoy a curling tournament, beach volleyball, slo-pitch, a parade, a gun show, a trade fair & more | This is 2 hours SE of YEG |

Wednesday, July 31:

• 10am - 4:30pm | Youth Event @ Chickakoo Lake | Drop the kids off for a day at the lake | Includes a walk, wiener roast & more | $10/kid | Hosted by the Town of Stony Plain |

• 5pm - 7pm | Music in the Park (West Edmonton) | FREE EVENT | Enjoy an evening of music & giveaways from local area businesses |

• 6pm - 8:30pm | Family Nature Nights | FREE EVENT | Enjoy an evening of hands on learning & fun | This week theme is Biodiversity @ Whitemud Park! |

• 6:30pm - 8pm | Menship | FREE EVENT | With a focus on mental health, connect with other men | Enjoy a nature walk (this week) |

• 6:30pm - 8:30pm | Knit-Lits | FREE EVENT | Meet up with other fibre craft enthusiasts | Bring your current project! |

• 7pm - 9pm | Virtual Fermentation Class & Info Session | FREE EVENT | Learn about benefits of fermentation without leaving home |

Thursday, August 1:

• 5:30pm - 6:30pm | Recreational Yoga | FREE EVENT | Unwind with an hour of instructor-led yoga | Yogi’s of all abilities welcome |

• 6pm - 8pm | Rock The Park | FREE EVENT | Head over for a free concert & fundraiser BBQ (if hungry) |

• 7pm - 9pm | Jazz Alley @ The Carrot | Enjoy a trombone - guitar duet, enlightening your ears with fresh jazz notes | $5 cover @ door |

• 7pm start | Cultural Campfires | FREE EVENT | Connect with neighbours & learn about Chinese traditions & culture | Bring a lawn chair |

• August 1 - 4 | Big Valley Jamboree | Enjoy of myriad of country artists on a large outdoor stage | Expensive festival - check that link for ticket pricing | 1 hour from city center, near Camrose |

Friday, August 2:

• 10am - 12pm | Run For The Cure | By Donation | Walk, run or jog (likely) 5km with this group raising funds to fight breast cancer |

• 5pm - 3am | 10 Years of Sweat | Enjoy a day & night party feat. up & coming artists | $28-$44/person |

• August 2 - 4 | Blueberry Bluegrass Festival (Stony Plain) | Enjoy a weekend of bluegrass from a stacked lineup | $60-$150/person |

• August 2 - 5 | Wildrose Figure Skating Competition | Watch expert skaters from around the country as they compete for top prizes | I’m not sure whether or not this event will be free to watch… |

• August 2 - 18 | “Ways to Get There” Art Show & Sale | FREE ENTRY | Enjoy acrylic & watercolour paintings from esteemed artist Laura Bachynski |

Saturday, August 3:

• 11am - 12pm | Yoga in the Park | Bring your mat & downward dog with strangers, outside! | $10/person drop in |

• 11am - 12:30pm | Climb for Mental Wealth | FREE EVENT | Make new friends and get cardio climbing stairs! | Bring h2o, runners, etc. |

• 11am - 10pm | Cold Lake’s Aqua Days | FREE EVENT | Enjoy a foam party, inflatables, face painting, a vendor alley, live entertainment & more, all on the beach! | At 3 hours from YEG, it’s a drive, but a beautiful place to spend a day |

• Noon - 4pm | Pokemon Trade-On | FREE EVENT | Bring your cards & memorabilia to trade | Enjoy vendors, tournaments & other enthusiasts |

• 1pm start | 1939 Wizard of Oz @ Metro | FREE EVENT (For Children 12 & under) | Take the kids to see a family classic |

• 7:30pm start | Jerry Bludd & Grimstone Dark Folk Concert | Enjoy also themed alcoholic beverages & coffee drinks | $20/cover @ door |

• Evening | Billy Bacon Memorial Bull Dog Race | Following horse racing, watch these pooches compete for top treats, & growling rights! | Your dog can compete! | Maybe free to watch? | Face painting & more |

• August 3 - 4 | The Neurospicy Market | FREE ENTRY | Check out artisanal wares produced by local neurodivergent folks! |

• August 3 - 5 | Edmonton Heritage Days | FREE ENTRY | YEG’s Premier Multicultural event! | Enjoy traditional food, dance, fashion & more from various cultures around the world | Park at Bethel Transit Station (Sherwood Park) & catch a bus (fares apply) for easy access |

• August 3 - 4 | Mallaig (AB) Haying in the 30’s | FREE EVENT | Tour the village, watch live equipment demos, make rope & partake in a host of other activities | Hoedown Sat night | 2 hours NE of City Center! |

• August 3 - 4 | TD Elk Island Express | FREE RIDE | Get out to Elk Island Park & back for no cost | Does not include park entry fees |

• August 3 - 4 | Smoky Lake Heritage Days & Rodeo | Enjoy a parade, live music, rodeo & more | Free-$20/person | 1.5 hours NE of YEG |

• August 3 - 5 | Fairy Berry Festival (Prairie Gardens) | Enjoy face painting, kids corn & bale mazes, a petting zoo & more | $17-$19/person, Kids 12 & under can get in free (see link for details) |

Sunday, August 4:

• 10am - 2pm | Heroes Unleashed | FREE EVENT | Join in on fitness demos & more | Meet a former Olympian | Plus Inflatables, a concession & more!

• 11am - 7pm | Annual Show ‘n Shine | FREE ENTRY | Check out some sweet rides | BBQ on site, as well as a vendor market |

• Noon - 2pm | Lego Make-And-Take | FREE EVENT | Bring the kiddos to make their very own apple | This’ll be at the two Lego stores in YEG! |

• 1:30pm - 4pm | HULA Meetup | FREE EVENT | Try your hand(s) at the ukulele amongst like minded enthusiasts | Bring yours, or borrow one |

• 2pm start | Family Movie | FREE EVENT | Bring the fam down to watch the 1998 classic, ANTZ | Free refreshments also | FCFS |

• 2pm - 2am | Keys to the City Festival | 12 hours of EDM from 16 DJ’s, plus food trucks, tattoo pop-up & more | Starts @ $33.28/person |

• 7pm - 8:30pm | Outdoor Yoga on Griesbach Hill | Cat cow amidst the beauty of nature | $5/person |

Monday August 5:

• 10am - 11:30am | Storytime in the Park | FREE EVENT | Bring your wee one for a morning of stories, songs, dancing, rhyming & more |

• Noon - 3pm | Tofield Annual Show ‘n Shine | FREE EVENT (to view) | Check out a host of sweet rides | Plus 50/50 & Door Prizes | $20/vehicle to register into the show |

• Noon - 8pm | Twoonie Swim | Enjoy a swim in the pool for only 2 bucks a person | See page 58 of the linked guide for details |

• August 5 - 10 | Hlinka Gretzky Cup | Enjoy premium hockey @ Rogers without breaking the bank | Tickets start at $24/person |

Have a great week, everyone!