This year, Edmonton’s Heritage Festival has a lot of competition for attendees over the long weekend, but organizers aren’t concerned – and the festival’s new director hopes this weekend’s event will be the best one yet.
Starting at noon Saturday, Edmonton’s Heritage Festival will take over Hawrelak Park – featuring food, and dance and music performances from 67 countries and 85 cultures.
Executive Director Jim Gibbon is expecting record crowds, even though attendees have several major events to choose from.
“I’m expecting 350,000 to 400,000 people,” Gibbon said.
One of the newest countries represented is Togo, a tiny country located on the west coast of Africa – that is sharing space with a number of other cultures in the same pavilion.
“This is a good thing to share the pavilion with other countries,” Yolande Lawson-Body said. “Many of Edmontonians don’t go to Togo, but we bring Togo here.”
Meanwhile, organizers are also working to grow the festival, a feat that costs money.
This year, the event cost organizers more than $200,000, but in the future, they would like to see some financial help from the City of Edmonton.
In June, Council ordered a report looking at the possibility of covering half of the cost of the festival.
“There’s no doubt that if the city is able to help us with that it’ll really help…like I said new tents…the infrastructure we’ll really need,” Gibbon said.
While he is in charge of the festival, Gibbon wants to see more than one hundred cultures represented, and he admits there is a lot of work to do.
As far as tips for festival-goers this year? Gibbon says to buy tickets in advance, “and come with an empty stomach.”
Those planning to attend the event should also be aware that there is no parking on site, the only way to get to the festival is by walking, taking the bus or a cab, or cycling in. Plus, bring a non-perishable food donation for Edmonton’s Food Bank.
More details on the Heritage Festival are available online.
With files from Dan Grummett
