'Good to be back': Midway fun returns to Edmonton after pandemic hiatus
With K-Days falling victim to cancellation again this year, summer midway fun returns in a new form for the first time since 2019.
The Summer Fun Midway opened Friday and saw sizeable crowds Saturday.
The event runs from July 23 through Aug. 1 at the Expo Centre grounds and features rides, food, midway games, and outdoor entertainment shows.
“It’s pretty refreshing,” said Darren Hansen. “I’m not a big ride guy myself, but my children were all excited to be coming out and going on the rides today.”
For many who attended the event on Saturday, it was the first time they experienced being in a crowd in over 16 months.
“It doesn’t bother me,” Gage Leahey told CTV News Edmonton. “I could see how for some people that would affect them. But no, I’m happy to be here.
“It’s awesome,” he added. “I was getting really cooped up indoors, getting sick of the lockdowns.”
Bethany MacLeod said she was simply happy to watch as her children reunited in person with their two best friends.
“It’s really nice,” MacLeod said. “There two are best friends and they haven’t got to see each other in a long time.
“It’s good to get everybody out and hang out. And to see people and to actually see people’s faces.”
“It looks a lot less crowded here than it did previous years but other than that it’s probably the first normal experience I’ve had this year,” Angelica Chamberlain shared.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
'Summer of discontent': Federal unions vow to fight new 3-day a week office mandate
Federal unions are launching legal challenges and encouraging public sector workers to file "tens of thousands" of grievances over the new mandate requiring federal workers to return to the office at least three days a week in the fall.
Watch fighter jet pilots pummel fake enemy ship off coast of Philippines
The United States and Philippines held annual joint-training drills just off the Southeast Asian nation’s western coast on Wednesday. Military forces sunk a 'mock' enemy warship – the BRP Lake Caliraya, which was a decommissioned tanker made in China.
'Ozempic babies': Reports of surprise pregnancies raise new questions about weight loss drugs
Numerous women have shared stories of 'Ozempic babies' on social media. But the joy some experience in discovering pregnancies may come with anxiety about the unknowns.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
'I killed four people': Trial hears video evidence of Jeremy Skibicki at Winnipeg trial
“I killed four people,” alleged serial killer Jeremy Skibicki told two homicide detectives during a recorded interview played as evidence in his trial Wednesday.
AstraZeneca says it will withdraw COVID-19 vaccine globally as demand dips
AstraZeneca said on Tuesday it had initiated the worldwide withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine due to a 'surplus of available updated vaccines' since the pandemic.
Seafood, eat food: Calgary Stampede releases Midway menu
The Calgary Stampede has released its menu of sweet, salty and spicy treats available on the Midway for the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.