For 10 days every July, Alberta's capital city hosts two festivals, A Taste of Edmonton and Capital EX. They are two of Edmonton's largest summer celebrations.
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| Capital EX parade. Clown on bicycle. Edmonton, Alberta. |
| Photo © Barb & Ron Kroll |
Taste of Edmonton was previously held after the annual Klondike Days Festival. The huge food festival takes place in Sir Winston Churchill Square, downtown, while the location for Edmonton's Capital EX is Northlands, in the northeast section of the city.
Taste of Edmonton menu items
Visitors can sample nearly 80 dishes from more than three dozen Edmonton restaurants. Menu items for Taste of Edmonton have ranged from Fairmont Hotel Macdonald's wild mushroom bisque and Korean Village's vegetable tempura to Roma Bistro's chicken enchiladas and Zen Sushi & Grill's teriyaki salmon. Desserts include Bailey's mocha pie from Globe Tap Bar & Grill, coconut ice cream with fresh fruit from The Gas Pump and deep fried Mars Bars from The Hat restaurant.
Menu items cost one to five tickets. Taste Tickets cost $1, but you can buy them at discounted prices in advance from TIX on the Square.
A taste of wine
A separate tent, located at 102 A Avenue, serves different wines daily from international wineries. Red and white wines are arranged in best buy, very good and outstanding categories. By the end of the festival, visitors have had the opportunity to sample 60 wines. Performers provide entertainment on the Taste of Wine Stage.
A Taste of Beer tent serves Alley Kat, Molson and Sleeman beers to visitors in the Taste Patio. Local and national musicians perform rock, country and bluegrass on the Taste Stage.
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| Pancake breakfast. A Taste of Edmonton. Alberta. |
| Photo © Barb & Ron Kroll |
Sunday in the City events
Held in Sir Winston Churchill Square and surrounding avenues and streets, Sunday in the City is a highlight of Taste of Edmonton. The Sunday afternoon event features a Vintage Car Show, community exhibits and Mascot Follies at Edmonton City Hall, where children can meet costumed characters.
Taste of Edmonton entertainment
At the Taste of Edmonton Street Market, shoppers can buy arts, crafts and jewelry. In Sir Winston Churchill Square, visitors enjoy photos, paintings, sculptures and illustrated books for kids at Night of Artists.
Aboriginal Day features the art, music, dances and culture of First Nations, Inuit and Metis communities. Visitors see tipis, hear throat singing and learn how to write their names in Inuktitut.
Things to do in the Greater Edmonton Region
Each morning, except for Sunday in the City, there's an inexpensive pancake breakfast at a different Edmonton Safeway store. The pancake breakfast is held at Sir Winston Churchill Square on the first day.
Visitors and locals fill their plates with pancakes, maple syrup, sizzling bacon and sausages, accompanied by coffee and juice. Musicians entertain the crowds.
Festival contests offer prizes, ranging from trips and groceries to gift certificates for restaurants and gas.
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| Sourdough Raft Race. Edmonton, Alberta. |
| Photo © Barb & Ron Kroll |
Sourdough River Race
Other events are held just prior to the Taste of Edmonton. Spectators can watch decorated rafts, sponsored by Edmonton businesses, float along the North Saskatchewan River between Terwillegar Park and Rafter's Landing.
Capital EX entertainment
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| Rollercoaster. Capital EX. Edmonton, Alberta. |
| Photo © Barb & Ron Kroll |
You'll find Edmonton's Capital EX entertainment and midway rides at Northlands. The Capital EX parade, downtown, is an extravaganza of marching bands and RCMP officers, floats, acrobats and flag-bearers on horseback.
The Capital EX pub crawl includes tickets for Sip! The Wine and Food Experience, tickets for a Telus Stage concert, transportation and gate admission to Capital EX.
Sip! The Wine and Food Experience is located in Hall A in Edmonton Expo Center.
You can relax on the lawn and watch free entertainment on Center Stage, opposite the east entrance to Expo Center. Telus Stage showcases family entertainment during the day and popular singers and bands during the evening.
Family fun
At Candy Nation, located in Family Fun Town at Expo Center, kids can learn about Mars Bars, Tootsie Rolls and other sweet treats.
You won't be bored. Expo Center houses a food court, shopping and family entertainment, including the Super Dogs Show in Hall D. Fireworks are held every night at 11 pm. The best place to see the Capital EX fireworks is from the Central Plaza.
Deals and passes
For midway ride bargains, check out the Ride All Day Passes. Early Bird discounts are available.
You can also buy hotel, Capital EX ride and attraction packages.
TRAVEL INFORMATION
Edmonton's Capital EX: www.capitalex.ca
Taste of Edmonton: www.eventsedmonton.ca