“Mummy…are we going to the Wedge now?” a little voice squealed.
The ‘Wedge’, more commonly known as the ‘Ledge’, short for Legislature Buildings, is a favorite spot for Edmontonians in summer. Unlike many grandiose public structures purchased by the public purse, Edmonton’s Legislature Building is all about people, not politics. It features not only well-groomed lawns on which picnickers are welcome to loll all day, but also an enormous sparkling fountain, surrounded by wading pools much less than a meter deep. Sun-dappled and safe, the wading pools and fountains are perfect for little ones who splash happily while their parents follow in their joyous wake. Edmonton’s city fathers sure got it right when they planned the ‘Wedge’.
And their descendants are doing a pretty good job now of turning Edmonton into an ever-busy entertainment capital – often called the Festival City. By making it easy for groups ranging from historical societies, to theatre companies, to musical organizations to make use of the city’s parks and public spaces, Edmonton has amassed a nearly continuous stream of festivals – all of which are drawing tourists to the area.
I recently attended Improvaganza – a comedy festival held in Edmonton’s funky White Avenue area. Not only were the shows funny – and stunningly affordable at just $10/ticket – but the neighbourhood was hopping all night, with restaurants and shops catering to the theatre crowd. The best news? Many of the same funny groups I saw will be back for the Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival – the second largest of its kind in the world – later in August. The fun, it seems, never stops in Edmonton. For a complete calendar, visit www.edmonton.com.
And there are year-round attractions that supplement the festivals. The ‘Ledge’ is a summer favourite, of course, and so is the Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market where you’ll see and taste everything from fresh-picked berries to ranched bison meat – steaks, burgers, roasts…you name it. If you like, you can even buy a bison fur throw to warm up that little spot in front of your fireplace.
If you’d rather see your bison live instead, make the trip to Elk Island, Canada’s only entirely fenced national park. This 194 sq.km. area plays a key role in reestablishing endangered species populations by caring for them in the protected lands. Trumpeter swans are now staging a comeback at Elk Island and wood bison are well-established.
A big, hairy, blood-shot-eyed wood bison is well worth seeing, so plan to drive carefully through the parklands in the early hours of the morning, when they’re most likely to be feeding. And stay in your vehicle! While communing with nature is fascinating, getting trampled by a wood bison would take all the fun out of the experience! Nearly destroyed by overhunting during the early years of the last century, the wood bison now living at Elk Island are numerous and they’re producing stock that is being used to repopulate other areas of the world, such as Russia.
While you’re in the mood for natural history lessons, take another drive (three hours, in fact) outside Edmonton to the Badlands of Drumheller. Marvel at the breathtaking dinosaur remains in the Royal Tyrrel Museum and recognize that this area is one of the richest in the world for fossils – museum workers have quite literally stumbled across rare relics while out on their lunchtime strolls!
Before heading back to the city, drive just a little further and see a hoodoo or twohoo. Sometimes known as a tent rock, an earth pyramid or, more whimsically, a fairy chimney, hoodoos are spires of rock that stick up like colonies of mushrooms in the arid badlands. Though the columns are made of soft sedimentary rock their caps are made of much harder stone, which protects them from erosion. Smaller hoodoos are five to six feet tall, but the largest can be as high as a 10-storey building and the effect of seeing a grouping of them against a brilliant blue sky is other-worldly – well worth the drive.
As you roll back into Edmonton, perhaps a little hungry after your long drive, give in to your inner Tyranosaurus Rex (a big meat-eater) and tuck into some good old Alberta steak or try a Fat Frank’s hot dog on Whyte’s Avenue where the shopping is fun and the people watching even better!
For more on visiting Edmonton, go to: www.discoveredmonton.com.
Photos by Jamie Fleming.
Liz Fleming is an award-winning Canadian travel journalist who specializes in adventure, health and wellness and learning travel. For more from Liz, go to: Liz Fleming’s Travel Tales