Welcome to the Festival of Trees

Edmontonians and visitors enjoy more than 30 festivals throughout the year in this town.  This is the reason why Edmonton holds the reigning title of ’Canada’s Festival City’.

Shaw Convention Centre

Project Zoom recently enjoyed attending the ‘Festival of Trees’ at the beautiful Shaw Convention Centre.  This event raises proceeds for the University of Alberta Hospital.  The funds from this years event will help the Head and Neck Cancer Surgery Program.  The Festival of Trees has raised over $13 million since it started in 1985.

Gingerbread houses galore

Based on the crowds in attendance, I would say it’s definitely a hit with the locals.

Grover in the Sesame Street tree

With over a hundred brilliantly decorated trees and many other displays, including a gingerbread village and custom designed and decorated cakes, there’s something for everyone.

The Candy Shop was 'sweet'!

One of my favourite stops was the candy shop where I managed to pick up a few more items for the kids stockings (wink, wink).

Edmonton District Square Dance Association

The show includes a variety of entertainment.  The Edmonton District Square Dance Association whirled and twirled around the stage while we sipped on our coffee, followed by the Metis Child and Family Jiggers. What a terrific opportunity to experience real Alberta talent!

Whyte Ave

Many residents of Edmonton have told us to make sure we get to Whyte Avenue as it has something for everyone and is one of the best places to people watch.

Exploring the Ave

After strolling along this lively bohemian spirited historical neighbourhood, I couldn’t agree more.  Window shopping at this time of year is always a pleasure, and the friendly shopkeepers are sure to get you in the festive spirit. 

There’s everything from a variety of clothing outlets, new and used book stores, unique gift shops, and of course, Jim’s favourite – the sweetest show on earth–“Coney Island Candy” (www.coneyislandcandy.ca). 

Trendy boutiques

We bought some treats to stuff in our children’s Christmas stockings; the question is will these yummy delights make it to British Columbia?

Return of the Magic - window displays

Check out funky Whyte Ave if you plan on visiting Edmonton.  The old fashioned animated window displays are spectacular!

More information on this hot spot in Edmonton is available by clicking HERE.

Window displays galore

in Edmonton is all over the place and considered a key factor of the charm and identity of a city.

During our zoom around this metropolis we’ve stumbled across sculptures in a variety of places including parks, public squares, and even the West Edmonton Mall food court, where Jim enjoyed lunch with a brass statue.

Enjoy today’s blog full of characters in many forms!

Brass Man - West Edmonton Mall

Emily Murphy - Author and Mother

Lunch box Joe - a people's favourite

Madonna of the Wheat

Vocal Legend Big Miller

Edmonton Firefighter Memorial

Legislative Assembly of Alberta

Lego Ledge - 120,000 genuine LEGO parts

What a terrific day zooming around the grounds of Alberta’s Legislature and touring this premier heritage building.  The locals refer to it as Alberta’s architectural treasure.  I must confer with my fellow Edmontonians.

Our tour guide for the day, Colleen, provides insight into the history of this provinces government, including interesting anecdotes about the Famous Five, various Premiers, and the Lieutenant Governor’s. 

A view from the "Palm Room"

She even took us up to “the Palm Room” in the dome part of the building, where five trees have thrived since the 1930’s.  The Province received Palm tree seeds from the State of California and the plants have now grown to 7 meters high.  The view from this part of the building allows us to enjoy a 360 degree view of Edmonton and the surrounding area.

The rotunda fountain

Colleen also introduces us to the ‘magic spot’.  This neat acoustic sensation allows you to hear the sound of running water as if it’s coming down on you.  Apparently it happens from the rotunda fountain and the shape of the roof.

I love my fancy hat!

The highlight of my day (besides meeting Colleen) was trying on an official Lieutenant Governor’s Vice Regal Uniform.  Well, actually, the best part was the really fancy hat!

For more information on the Alberta Lego Legislature, click HERE.

Welcome to the Art Gallery of Alberta

Yes, it’s true, we are “Up North” in Edmonton Alberta, but, this is also the name of an absolutely incredible exhibit on now at the Art Gallery of Alberta (AGA).  This exhibit showcases the talent of four artists form three countries; Denmark, Iceland and Canada.  Canadian artist Kevin Schmidt transforms a barren Yukon landscape into a spectacular light, sound and dry ice show in Wild Signals.  Worth seeing if you ever get a chance.

Kevin Schmidt, Wild Signals, Video installation, 2007

“The State of Nature” is another exhibit I thoroughly enjoyed during our zoom around the gallery.  It focuses on Western Canadian Landscapes from the 1980 to present and includes works by several prominent Canadian artists.

AGA by day

The Art Gallery building itself is simply stunning.  It underwent an $88-million redesign and now has double the exhibition space of the former gallery. The new building opened its doors in February 2010, and is definitely a world-class facility for presenting local, national and international art and education.

AGA at night

More information is available on the AGA’s website:  www.youraga.ca

Government House - circa 1913

Only six of Alberta’s Lieutenant Governors have called this place home.  John Campbell Bowen was the last to live on this property before it closed in 1938 for financial and political reasons.

Large Meeting Room

Political reasons?   Hmm, this sounds interesting.  Upon further discussion with our tour guide we learn that Mr. Bowen is one of the few examples in our country of a viceroy withholding Royal Assent to three bills passed through the Legislative Assembly.  This resulted in the closure of the vice regal residence and they even took away his car! 

In 1942 the province auctioned off most of the contents of this beautiful residence and then turned the building into a dormitory for Northwest Airlines, followed by a convalescent home for disabled veterans.  In 1965 the Veterans vacated the house and its usage changed to a place for Provincial meetings, state functions and conferences.

Grand Foyer

Today it’s all decked out for the holiday season and restored to its former beauty.  They are still seeking original artifacts that belonged to the house.  This year the Government House Foundation was lucky to receive a donation of an Edwardian Elbow Chair, an original mahogany chair and a German porcelain figurine.

Jeongia - a gift from twin Korean province Gangwon

Zooming through the grounds is a must do if you ever happen to visit Alberta’s Government House.

'Ksan Totem Pole

The 11-metre-high ‘Ksan Totem Pole is a fine example of the Native Northwest Coast art style.  The house is sits along the scenic River Valley and there’s lots of art and local history to explore on the property.

The Old Strathcona Farmers' Market

The Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market is Edmonton’s year-round indoor Saturday market and allows residents to have a bit of the farm in the heart of the city.

A friendly visitor

They say that this is the place to hang around with the locals, and today we found someone who seems to be a big favourite around the city right now.

Fa la la la la

Local musicians entertained the crowds of shoppers looking for all kinds of goodies including fruits, vegetables, cheese, eggs, flowers and delish Alberta grown meats, bison and poultry.  

Lots of apples

With more than 130 vendors, you’re sure to come away with a few bags of locally grown and made products.

Fresh flowers

Add this to your list of things to do if you are visiting Edmonton on a Saturday.  More information is available on their website:  www.osfm.ca

Veggies galore

This mall is so huge it deserves two blog posts.  Please enjoy a few more photos from our day of exploring North America’s largest mall.

Indoor bungee jumping

Santa Maria docked at the world's largest indoor lake

World's largest indoor wave pool

18-hole miniature golf course

Deep Sea Derby bumper boats

Roller Coaster funness

There are lots of good reasons to visit the West Edmonton Mall (WEM) – whether you want to shop, play, eat, drink or sleep! 

Ice Palace

The Ice Palace is always exciting.  Skaters enjoy twirling and zooming around on this NHL-sized ice rink.

World Waterpark

The World Waterpark is a terrific hot spot to be on a cold winter’s day.  It boasts the world’s largest indoor wave pool and tallest indoor bungee tower.  (Yikes!)

Of course, when it comes to shopping with over 800 stores and NO provincial sales tax in Alberta, spending money here seems very easy.  We strolled and strolled and strolled and shopped and shopped and shopped.

Fantasyland Hotel

The unique Fantasyland Hotel is inside the WEM and 120 of its 235 rooms are fantasy-themed rooms that make you feel you are either somewhere else, or in another era.

Exciting roller coasters

Did I mention there are several themed streets including Bourbon Street, Chinatown and Europa Boulevard?   Oh, and let’s not forget the Casino and Galaxyland Amusement Park.

This mall is the largest in North America and the fifth largest in the world.  It covers 15 city blocks and has 3 postal codes.

Chinatown upstairs/Bourbon Street downstairs

We really enjoyed our day at the WEM.  I find it difficult to refer to it as a mall as it’s so much more. 

For more information visit their website:  http://www.wem.ca/

We’ve only been zooming around our new home town a few days, but we’ve already managed to find some beautiful exterior murals painted in Edmonton.

Enjoy today’s splash of colourful local artwork.

Yvonne found a BIG FISH!

Cool graffiti art

Two women on blackberries

Up up and away

Lots of tall buildings in this city

Trying to fit in with the locals at the market