Latest news with #KDays
Edmonton Journal
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Edmonton Journal
Premier Smith flipping flapjacks at KDays pancake breakfast
Article content The sun was shining, the griddles were hot, and uplifted tunes played over the loudspeakers as hundreds gathered at Klondike Park for the Premier's Pancake Breakfast, the official kick-off to KDays 2025. With the smell of fresh pancakes in the air and hot food lines serving up pancakes, eggs, sausages, juice, and drinks, the festive mood was unmistakable. Article content Premier Danielle Smith worked the flapjack line alongside Explore Edmonton staff and volunteers, flipping pancakes, pouring syrup and greeting families. Article content Article content Article content 'KDays is part of Edmonton heritage, it continues to deliver tremendous excitement, welcoming nearly three quarters of a million people last year, and I'm sure you're gonna break records again this year.' Article content Article content The breakfast event, open to the public from 9-11 a.m., drew thousands of attendees, including elected officials, community partners, families and performers. Thanks to presenting sponsor North Central Co-Op, the first 5,000 guests received free gate admission. Article content Outside the gates, crowds began lining up early, eager to be among the first inside. Article content Article content 'We're so incredibly grateful to so many government leaders who are here today flipping pancakes,' said Traci Bednard, president and CEO of Explore Edmonton. 'The premier, I can see, has some mad skills in that.' Article content KDays remains one of Alberta's largest annual events, drawing hundreds of thousands each year. Bednard noted the festival has run since 1879 and highlighted what's new this year, including a second music stage powered by CKUA, international competitions and expanded youth programming. Article content Article content 'The feature product program is where innovators, foodies, techies, designers and dreamers get their moment in the spotlight, from wild snack creations to one-of-a-kind, handmade goods,' Bednard said. 'We've deepened our partnership with Indigenous communities and are welcoming more local artists and performers. There really is something for everyone here.'
Calgary Herald
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Calgary Herald
Premier Smith flipping flapjacks at KDays pancake breakfast
The sun was shining, the griddles were hot, and uplifted tunes played over the loudspeakers as hundreds gathered at Klondike Park for the Premier's Pancake Breakfast, the official kick-off to KDays 2025. With the smell of fresh pancakes in the air and hot food lines serving up pancakes, eggs, sausages, juice, and drinks, the festive mood was unmistakable. Article content Premier Danielle Smith worked the flapjack line alongside Explore Edmonton staff and volunteers, flipping pancakes, pouring syrup and greeting families. Article content Article content 'KDays is part of Edmonton heritage, it continues to deliver tremendous excitement, welcoming nearly three quarters of a million people last year, and I'm sure you're gonna break records again this year.' Article content Article content The breakfast event, open to the public from 9-11 a.m., drew thousands of attendees, including elected officials, community partners, families and performers. Thanks to presenting sponsor North Central Co-Op, the first 5,000 guests received free gate admission. Article content Outside the gates, crowds began lining up early, eager to be among the first inside. Article content Article content 'We're so incredibly grateful to so many government leaders who are here today flipping pancakes,' said Traci Bednard, president and CEO of Explore Edmonton. 'The premier, I can see, has some mad skills in that.' Article content KDays remains one of Alberta's largest annual events, drawing hundreds of thousands each year. Bednard noted the festival has run since 1879 and highlighted what's new this year, including a second music stage powered by CKUA, international competitions and expanded youth programming. Article content Article content 'The feature product program is where innovators, foodies, techies, designers and dreamers get their moment in the spotlight, from wild snack creations to one-of-a-kind, handmade goods,' Bednard said. 'We've deepened our partnership with Indigenous communities and are welcoming more local artists and performers. There really is something for everyone here.'
CTV News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- CTV News
‘Organized chaos,' builders say of moving exhibition from Stampede to KDays
The last pieces of the KDays Midway are being put in place Thursday. The exhibition grounds were a bustling place in the morning, with workers in cranes, forklifts, semis, and even on top of a stationary ferris wheel. 'A lot of it is organized chaos,' acknowledged Bennett Kavals, the person in charge of personnel for North American Midway Entertainment. 'But a lot of planning goes into the logistics.' After the Calgary Stampede closed on Sunday, about 500 crew members tore the amusement park down and packed for the road trip north on Monday and Tuesday. About 300 semis are needed to transport the rides from city to city. 'We bring the equipment in the strategic order. The placement is very important.… It's kind of like a symphony, an orchestra,' Kavals said. KDays midway exhibition set up 2025 A crane operator helps build a roller coaster for the KDays exhibition on July 17, 2025. (Connor Hogg / CTV News Edmonton) Many staff work for the company year round and travel for the exhibition season year after year. Each is assigned to a specific ride. 'We move 19 locations in a year, so we're pretty good at this. And we've been doing it for 21 years,' noted Scooter Korek, vice-president of client services. 'We start in Miami in March of every year and they become very proficient at their ride and how to set it up, how to do the inspections, how to make sure that it's safe, how to be able to ride people. So by the time we get here to KDays, we're very proficient in our tasks.' According to him, two of the most difficult rides to set up are the 'Crazy Mouse' and 'Outlaw' roller coasters. But construction and inspections will be finished by Friday's 11 a.m. opening, the organizers promised. Korek said, 'It hits home when the gates are open. All that work pays off and all of our guys look forward to (it). Let's get this party started.' With files from CTV News Edmonton's Connor Hogg
Vancouver Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Vancouver Sun
What to expect at KDays 2025: A look inside Edmonton's biggest summer celebration
KDays is back for 2025, promising 10 days of summer excitement in Edmonton. The official media launch, held Thursday morning at Klondike Park, offered the first look at what's ahead for one of Alberta's most iconic festivals. Hosted by Explore Edmonton, this year's event brings together tradition and innovation, featuring new attractions, major partnerships, enhanced safety measures, and a growing focus on local and Indigenous communities. As one of the oldest and largest fairs in Canada, dating back to 1879, KDays continues to evolve with Edmonton. Last year's event drew more than 740,000 visitors and generated $70 million in economic impact. Get top headlines and gossip from the world of celebrity and entertainment. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sun Spots will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. But organizers say its value extends far beyond numbers. It's about fostering connections, supporting community spirit and creating multi-generational memories. 'KDays is the second largest gathering in Alberta and the fourth largest fair in Canada. Aren't we proud we have the two largest events in the country or in Alberta,' said Arlindo Gomes, vice-president of business development at Explore Edmonton. 'KDays continues to be a celebration of Edmonton's vibrant and diverse spirit. We've deepened our partnerships with Indigenous communities and are welcoming more local performers, artists and grassroots organizations than ever before.' Gomes said this year marks the fourth year of Explore Edmonton's reimagined strategy for KDays, focused on reflecting the community through partnerships and event design. This includes hosting two international competitions, which are the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) and a Head-to-Head Obstacle World Series, alongside traditional festival attractions. Attendees can also expect expanded cultural programming at the kiyânaw Indigenous Experience, and a new Eat, Play, Laugh Pass in collaboration with Taste of Edmonton and the Great Outdoors Comedy Festival. 'I think it's a magical time to be in Edmonton in the summer, and KDays is really a large part of that annually. So we're excited about this year,' he said. KDays 2025 is backed by both provincial and municipal governments with funding, attendance, and public support playing a significant role in the festival's continued growth. Alberta Children and Family Services Minister Searle Turton spoke at the event on behalf of Minister Tanya Fir, highlighting the province's $1 million investment in KDays through the Ministry of Arts, Culture and the Status of Women. 'Alberta's government is proud to support events that lift community spirit, support local economies and help build an even stronger Alberta,' Turton said. 'This investment helps ensure that Edmonton's largest summer fair can continue to bring Albertans and out-of-province visitors together to support summer in the absolutely best way.' The true value of KDays goes far beyond fun, said Turton, as it's about the lasting social impact it has on families and communities, 'whether it's a child's first ride on the carousel,' or 'a family laughing together over a new food discovery.' 'For over 130 years, KDays has been a fun, family-friendly event for people of all ages, creating a space where culture, commerce and community can thrive,' he said. Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi echoed the importance of the festival's impact on local tourism and the economy. 'Last year, this iconic event generated $24.7 million in total economic impact, supporting over 600 jobs and boosting our tourism and hospitality sectors. Big cities lead big festivals,' he said. 'If we want to continue to attract the talent, investment and visitors, we need bold, unforgettable events that put Edmonton on the map.' Several new and returning partnerships were announced during the launch, including a new title sponsorship with North Central Co-op and the expansion of a second music stage in collaboration with CKUA Radio Network. 'On behalf of everyone at North Central Co Op, I am thrilled to officially kick off our partnership as the title sponsor of KDays,' said Samantha Dunn, vice-president of marketing and community relations. 'KDays has been a summer tradition that brings families, friends, neighbours and visitors together. It's a celebration of community connection and the vibrant spirit of this city we all call home.' Marc Carnes, CEO of CKUA and board member of Explore Edmonton, said music fans are in for a treat at this year's festival with a main stage packed with big-name headliners, fan favourites, and high-energy performances that will 'light up the night,' as well as the launch of a second stage — the CKUA Radio Stage — which he described as 'a perfect complement to the main stage.' 'KDays is back and this year we're turning the volume way up,' Carnes said. 'You'll get to discover some of Alberta's most exciting emerging talent, from country to blues, to everything in between, homegrown sounds, intimate sets, and the kind of musical discoveries that make you say, 'I saw them before they blew up.'' With safety often a concern at large public events, organizers say several measures have been added to ensure a secure environment for attendees. 'We've introduced a code of conduct policy that helps our team, along with EPS, ensure that behaviour on our site is up to standard,' said Gomes. 'We partner with the police services, have our own security teams on site, and implement all security screening at the gates.' He added that ensuring families feel safe is Explore Edmonton's top priority. 'That's the Number 1 thing we pay attention to, and we're monitoring it all the time.' cnguyen@ Bookmark our website and support our journalism: Don't miss the news you need to know — add and to your bookmarks and sign up for our newsletters . You can also support our journalism by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribers gain unlimited access to The Edmonton Journal, Edmonton Sun, National Post and 13 other Canadian news sites. The Edmonton Journal | The Edmonton Sun
Calgary Herald
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Calgary Herald
What to expect at KDays 2025: A look inside Edmonton's biggest summer celebration
KDays is back for 2025, promising 10 days of summer excitement in Edmonton. The official media launch, held Thursday morning at Klondike Park, offered the first look at what's ahead for one of Alberta's most iconic festivals. Article content Hosted by Explore Edmonton, this year's event brings together tradition and innovation, featuring new attractions, major partnerships, enhanced safety measures, and a growing focus on local and Indigenous communities. Article content Article content As one of the oldest and largest fairs in Canada, dating back to 1879, KDays continues to evolve with Edmonton. Last year's event drew more than 740,000 visitors and generated $70 million in economic impact. Article content Article content Article content But organizers say its value extends far beyond numbers. It's about fostering connections, supporting community spirit and creating multi-generational memories. Article content 'KDays is the second largest gathering in Alberta and the fourth largest fair in Canada. Aren't we proud we have the two largest events in the country or in Alberta,' said Arlindo Gomes, vice-president of business development at Explore Edmonton. 'KDays continues to be a celebration of Edmonton's vibrant and diverse spirit. We've deepened our partnerships with Indigenous communities and are welcoming more local performers, artists and grassroots organizations than ever before.' Article content Article content What's new in 2025 Article content Gomes said this year marks the fourth year of Explore Edmonton's reimagined strategy for KDays, focused on reflecting the community through partnerships and event design. This includes hosting two international competitions, which are the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) and a Head-to-Head Obstacle World Series, alongside traditional festival attractions. Article content Article content Attendees can also expect expanded cultural programming at the kiyânaw Indigenous Experience, and a new Eat, Play, Laugh Pass in collaboration with Taste of Edmonton and the Great Outdoors Comedy Festival. Article content 'I think it's a magical time to be in Edmonton in the summer, and KDays is really a large part of that annually. So we're excited about this year,' he said.
