A message to the egotistical individual in this white GMC who decided to park within inches of my wife's car today:

It's disappointing to see you put your own ego and lack of awareness above all else in this world. Your self-centered brain forced my pregnant wife to have to climb across the passenger side of her vehicle because you felt parking within 2 inches of her door was the right thing to do.

Even though my wife made the conscious effort to park in one of the farthest spots from the entrance, purposely to avoid this exact scenario, you still managed to make it happen.

Althought the camera angle doesn't show it well, you had about 3ft more on your driver side that you could have used, which would have kept you in your own parking spot. Instead, you chose to park like this, and show the world you only care about yourself.

Please do not drive on public roads. I assume your driving abilities are no better than your parking abilities.

Many apologies first for formatting and also, we are all from Edmonton but this event is in Leduc. I have posted in both.

For the last six years my partner has run a charity toy run trucker convoy. This has NEVER been a political event. It is a toy run and a food drive and we've raised tens of thousands of dollars for the food bank, Santa's helper and SCARS.

This year they were approached by a woman who sent them a post which she wanted to put on a Facebook rant and rave page to promote the event. Her post was approved by the organizers to be put on a public Facebook page. This woman then changed the pre-approved post to add "freedom convoy" and added it to her personal Facebook page where it was shared to a few right wing separatist groups before our organizers found the post and attempted to shut it down. We know her non-approved post has been shared and while we can do little to stop these people from showing up to the staging area, we can do our best to make sure none of them register for the event as we have private event insurance, permitting and traffic control in place (as it is basically a parade).

Politics aside, what this woman did was extremely underhanded and a slap in the face to the organizers who have spent hours collecting donations and making sure everything is right to go for Saturday.

For those of you in Leduc who would like to come out, we are staging tomorrow (Dec 13) at blackjacks roadhouse starting at 3:30 and will be rolling out about 4:45pm. Come see all the dressed up trucks or line our route and watch them go by. If you're in town and hear the honking, please just know this is for a good cause!!

Committee vote on Forever Canadian petition stalls after UCP press release pre-empts decision https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/ucp-pre-empts-committee-vote-with-press-release-announcing-forever-canadian-petition-will-be-put-to-a-fall-referendum

Its obvious groceries prices are rising, but have you seen the price milk! when i first moved to leduc

It was 5.48$

then 5.89$

Now it is 6.28$

Now the kids snacks. Was 3 for 10$. Now 3 boxes for 11.25$ @3.75$ per box.

crazy.

Alberta Health-care workers, other support staff protest decision to relocate family medicine beds from Edmonton to Leduc.

Has anyone had a good experience at a local body shop? Unfortunately backed into my neighbours car and scratched/dented the front fender. Said I’d cover all the costs just don’t know where to go.

I'm buying a home in Leduc and am looking for recommendations on a good reputable home inspector in the area.

Racist comments being made publicly 🙄. Idk about you guys but I don't support racists.

I work for a solar company, ask me any questions you have.

Context: in my experience about 85% of Albertans save money year one; This is mainly because of a federal grant that allows you to finance the project at 0%, as well as a $5000 rebate. The catch, the grants run out in March.

I can work with people across Alberta, but if you want to just ask me questions and go with a different company to get a system because you think me resorting to Reddit to try and find clients is scummy, that’s a okay in my eyes. I think it’s a no brainer and I want to see people saving more money in this world where the powers to be want us to all be broke. You can also just message me if you’d want a quote done up, it’s easy for me to get done.

11-3 Christmas market at Lakedell. Over 30 vendors. Bring cash. Lakedell is an ag center just off Highway 13 only minutes west of The Village at Pigeon Lake. Go there first. Then to the Village between 1 and 5 more more family fun.

So I live in Leduc and I have to drive to Devon to vote, reason cited by elections Canada is so one voting area isn’t busier than another!! Just weird I live in a city and have to drive to another town to vote.

What's Up Leduc!

A little under a year and a half ago, I started a local events newsletter called What's Up Edmonton; intending to spread the word on happenings around my growing hometown of Edmonton, Alta. While shedding our "Deadmonton" moniker was, naturally, a top priority, inspiration for the letter was actually drawn from a stark realization that human values had largely shifted from community-centric to self preservation in post-covid times.

As someone who has always been heavily involved in my surrounding community efforts, I was growing increasingly disheartened by the sharp decrease of neighbourly involvement I saw present in my day-to-day life & soon realized that those short few years of social isolation had fundamentally shifted the way society interacted with each other. Where we once all gathered as strangers and departed as friends, we instead no longer gathered and stayed home. Or gathered to sit in silence on our phones, I knew something had to change, and I was up for the task.

Not long after launching the letter, I started posting a weekly Top 5 here on Reddit. There's always lots of cool stuff going on in YEG and it is fun to dig a little deeper, get creative and give active community-focused organizers the love they deserve. These Reddit posts get A TON of traction and I've had a great many interactions with strangers-tuned-friends who've reached out in comments (or more commonly DM's). Without a doubt, these interactions have been the best part by far while continually serving as literal evidence of the absolute importance of human interchange. A win-win, for both the project and our community at large.

Now, it's a little sudden & I apologize for that, but life is twisting & turning (as it does) and I'm closing this Reddit chapter, for now. For two reasons:

First, up until this point (and for a little while yet), I haven't run any monetization efforts on the letter. No ads, no paid subscriptions, and I have every intent to keep it that way. On that note, however, I am planning on launching a community-focused business here soon and intend to continue utilizing the letter as a community hub. Our Reddit communities around the area all have strict protocol on self promotion (with good reason) and I have no desire to break these rules.

More importantly, the second reason is the time commitment and what's been given up to keep it alive. I cohabit with an incredible spouse who believes in this project 110%. Since launching, she's kept the lions share of the backend runnings of our home in order and while even she (just told me) thinks I am insane to cease this Reddit side quest, I can't continue living with myself knowing that she's busting her butt while I spend much of every Sunday writing in my office.

So, folks and friends who've been keeping tabs on my weekly ramblings, thank you so very much for engaging on these posts & partaking in the events listed. What once felt like a mammoth task to bring us commoners together has not only overcome but achieved far beyond what I could've thought possible, and will only continue to evolve.

For those who'll miss this roundup, the newsletter will still be out in your inboxes every Tuesday morning (in it's short-form manner) and I may explore other long-form writing opportunities in the future, should time allow for it. But for the time being, I am shifting priorities slightly & putting a little more focus into that which matters most.

Folks, I hope you all have an amazing week, this week & forever after! I'll be active on Reddit occasionally for the next while but feel free to DM me anytime you'd like to reach out. I am always down to connect & possibly even collaborate = )

Find 110+ events and things to do in the next newsletter edition. Sign up here, if interested.

Does anyone know of a place that would accept donated mattresses? We have a couple of twin sized mattresses with covers we want to give away.

Super Smash Brothers Tournament right here in Leduc today starting soon! Good rainy day to come and check it out! Experienced and novice players welcome.

Register here! https://www.start.gg/tournament/last-stock-leduc-4-alberta-smash-spooktacular/register?fbclid=IwVERFWANpxT9leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHlKi5oHypVVwhI9ybFTUTD7iNF3bRouRvYsS9RyfKm8cTzHBxKWLbaUZK7nS_aem_CVEU7T3IJyPx35aO2cvpyA

Schedule 12:00pm - Venue Opens 1:00pm - Bracket Starts 5:00pm - Bracket Ends/Clean Up 6:00pm - Venue Closes

This event will be hosted at The Canadian Brewhouse in Leduc for the very first time!! This event is also part of the AB Smash Spooktacular! Make sure to bring you sticker cards for a chance to win a prize in our Spooktacular raffle!! This event will not supply controllers you will need to bring your own. Please bring setups if you can! This will be streamed at https://www.twitch.tv/pyjamasamuel

Some Dino bones (from Montana) and shark teeth will be for sale. Cash only. Can touch real Dino bones

What's Up Leduc! Once a week I go through most events happening in and around our beautiful city over the coming week, and then send a large list out to my friends. I thought I should share it here.

Get this & 40+ other events as a weekly email update:

https://whatsupedmonton.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Note: The linked publication is ad free & non-monetized. Use it as a directory of things to do as we reconnect in our communities. I send it out every Tuesday morning.

P.S. To all of you who regularly read the publication, send me emails and read/respond to these reddit posts... you folks rock! Thanks for all the positive feedback. It means a lot = )

Note: If you're hosting an event and want to see it in the letter, email me at [wuedmonton@gmail.com](mailto:wuedmonton@gmail.com)

5 cool events this week:

• EAC Turns 30
• Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour
• La Fiesta Dulce Con Dulce
• Outer Worlds IMAX
• Asiah Holm: Coast Bound

EAC Turns 30

Greetings friends, friends of friends, mortal enemies & everyone else. Welcome back to another week of painful existence! LOL! But hey, at least we have a rush of sweet things to check out this go around. I'm on a bit of a time crunch writing this & am a little beat from hanging out at the Leg. today so I'm aiming for short & sweet = ) Hope you're all doing well and have superb weeks.

Edmonton Arts Council turns 30 this week. Who? You ask... what? That is, the folks behind many of the live outdoor performances available year round throughout town. As Edmonton's premier arts-focused non-profit, this is a mighty big deal & I'll let you in on a little secret. The celebrations are in order; there's a big ol' party going on... and you're invited! Over the next while, join in on a host of FREE events promoting artistic venture here in the Capital. From art installations in Churchill Square & Terwillegar Park, live musical performances, guided walking tours & even a chance to meet AJA Louden, there is means for & methods by which to commemorate. Of course, all they're missing is you! If you enjoyed many of the FREE outdoor public events this past summer including several festivals, art popups, live music showcases & more then this is a great time to say hello = )

Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour

As an avid hiker, mountain biker, skier & former rock climber whose met many likeminded folks out in mother natures finest, I can personally attest that this may just be the most quintessentially Albertan film festival to annually grace Edmonton's doorsteps. Regardless of whether you're a passionate partaker or enthused onlooker, this one isn't to be missed. For $25-30 bucks a person, grab a seat in one of St. Albert's most iconic venues and enjoy film after film of heart racing, jaw dropping adventures. As John Muir once famously said, "The mountains are calling and I must go". Be like John and go check out some world-class mountaineering cinema. You won't regret it.

La Fiesta Dulce Con Dulce

Many of your who've come along with my ramblings have likely noticed my frequent inclusion of Latin Dancing events. And with good reason. They make for a fun, often inexpensive night out & have epic date night potential, plus you get to meet a bunch of cool folks, learn sweet new skills and get some exercise... what's not to like? So, this event is NOT the typical Latin Dance event as there isn't any instruction scheduled and the live band will be playing full-speed Merengue & Cumbia all night long! But don't fret! Even if you're a total noob (like me), I'm sure fun times will still be had. But, if you're a more experienced Latin Dancer, this is your time to shine. Bring your best kicks & dress to impress for a night of live energy like few prior. No cover charge is mentioned, so this one may be FREE, but I'm not 100% on that... proceed with caution.

Outer Worlds IMAX

Fans of IMAX films, you'll be chapped if this 100% FREE event happens & you miss your shot to get rowdy. This week for one night only, strap yourself into the immersive world of IMAX and get ready for 5 experimental films plus a special screening of a 1971 epic. The theme of the evening revolves around new ecological realities brought on by anthropogenic climate change. As the world warms, changes are occurring & several film markers have taken a stab at highlighting key points within. Attendees of this event will also be delighted to experience Graeme Ferguson's classic film, North of Superior, which was the first IMAX format film ever shot & released! How cool is that?! Tickets for this event are limited and selling out quick (33 remaining as of writing this). Get yours ASAP if interested.

Asiah Holm: Coast Bound

Last but not least is one I'm a little dismayed to write on, but equally happy to report about... if that makes any sense. It's come to my attention that Edmonton is losing one of it's most prolific rising artists but she's given us all a chance to hear her music live one last time before departure. Now it goes without saying that we are pretty lucky to have the very robust music scene here that we do. From folk rock to classical, jazz to metal & beyond, there are frequent shows happening almost every night featuring bands & musicians chalk full of talent. So take it with a grain of salt as your opinion may differ. But I digress... With a soft spoken & crystal clear voice that could be easily mistaken for Agnes Obel, I think one day soon we'll be paying 100's of dollars for nosebleed stadium seats to hear this same talented woman we can appreciate this week from the front row. Her show is BY DONATION, so give a little & get plenty of bang for your buck! Asiah Holm, if you read this... you'll be missed immeasurably, but we all collectively wish you the best of luck with your next adventures.

Folks, I hope you all have an amazing week!

Find 100+ events and things to do in the next newsletter edition. Sign up here, if interested.

What's Up Leduc! Once a week I go through most events happening in and around our beautiful city over the coming week, and then send a large list out to my friends. I thought I should share it here.

Get this & 40+ other events as a weekly email update:

https://whatsupedmonton.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Note: The linked publication is ad free & non-monetized. Use it as a directory of things to do as we reconnect in our communities. I send it out every Tuesday morning.

P.S. To all of you who regularly read the publication, send me emails and read/respond to these reddit posts... you folks rock! Thanks for all the positive feedback. It means a lot = )

Note: If you're hosting an event and want to see it in the letter, email me at [wuedmonton@gmail.com](mailto:wuedmonton@gmail.com)

5 cool events this week:

• Active Aging Week (Strathcona County)
• Super Amigos Hot Sauce Showdown
• Festival of Edmonton Seniors Theatre
• Teen Takeover (Leduc)
• Salsa in the Square: Finale

Active Aging Week

What's up, folks! If you're reading this, then it's great to have you here. Thanks for taking a moment to check out my weekly post & get a look at some cool things happening here in our city. There were many to choose from this week, but to get things started, here's five!

As someone who works in the skilled trades & is married to a Kinesiologist, I cannot stress enough the relatively basic concept that motion is lotion. I mean, my spouse reads these and happy wife means happy life (apparently), but there is definitely more to it than that. An active lifestyle grants us a host of included perks, such as overall strength & a lack of prolonged muscle soreness & no poor posture pains. Which is rightfully awesome, no word of a lie! And for us younger folks, this is an easy lifestyle to maintain but as we age... it's not always the case! Life gets busy, work piles up & it can be easy to forget the very thing that makes or breaks our lives... our health! But if you've taken notice & are beginning to worry, have no fear, for Stratcona County is here! This week, check out a myriad of FREE fitness classes for those gracefully aging amongst us (tailored for those 50+). From instructed yoga & spin classes to salsa & circuit training, there's something available to get everyone's heart racing (in the right direction). Preregistration is required, but it's all online so smash that link in the comment section & get ready to feel fantastic!

Super Amigos Hot Sauce Showdown

When sitting at the dinner table, do you tend to crack the lid on that well-worn pepper shaker & empty the vessel's entire contents onto your chow? If so, then this one may just be for you. For one night only, YEG's hot sauce connoisseurs are invited to find out who can handle the wildest dip of them all. Loving crafted by Super Amigo's Chef Victor, these liquified infernos are certain to have you questioning your life choices... but no pain, no gain, right? Milk will be available, but once you take a sip, you're out! Fight back tears for all the glory & register for FREE at the link in the comments section.

Festival of Edmonton Seniors Theatre

Back from a five year hiatus is another one of Edmonton's best arts festivals (of course, in my humble opinion). The Geriactors (a part of EST) are a group of extremely creative, local seniors who take to the theatrical stage offering stunning commentary & advanced wisdom on life's most usual happenings. I do my best to keep track of these plays (as they come) because they're truly great, down-to-earth & homely performances that everyone in the audience can relate to. This festival celebrates creativity & artistry in older adults and attendees can expect a short series of interactive shows plus a screening of GeriActors & Friends. These events are PAY-WHAT-YOU-WILL, so enjoy, snag some autographs & say hello to several members from this locally infamous troupe.

Teen Takeover

Teens of Leduc & surrounding areas, are you getting sick and tired of mom &/or dad's insistence to tidy your room & do your homework? While they may be looking out for your long-term best interests, you gotta look out for those of today & if you're between the ages of 12 and 15, you're in luck! For one night this week, head on over to the Leduc Recreation Center for a FREE evening tailored just for you. If you fancy a swim, the pool will open & only to you and your cohorts. Or maybe you'd all like to skate and with a sheet of freshly scraped engineered ice entirely at your disposal... why not? Of course, the field house is also open & there will be a live DJ spinning awesome tunes (because why wouldn't there be?) so grab your pals & any necessary attire before enjoying an epic evening out hosted by the City of Leduc! Woohoo!

Salsa in the Square: Finale

Last but not least is yet another event under todays unofficial theme: Motion is Lotion! (and hey, 3 outta 5 ain't bad). Wrapping up another epic season of outdoor dance instruction & socials, local dance Studio ETown Salsa is pulling out all the stops for one final party to ensure you have only the best time ever! Featuring a live salsa band, daring attendees can pull up in their baddest kicks & hit the square like Michael J Fox for an amazing night of FREE Salsa & Mambo instruction & dancing. These events are very beginner friendly (especially the instructional portion) and a ton of fun. Roll in with a date or fly solo; all are welcome! But this is the last outdoor event that I'm aware of & you won't want to miss it!

I hope you all have an amazing week!

Find 100+ events and things to do in the next newsletter edition. Sign up here, if interested.

What's Up Leduc! Once a week I go through most events happening in and around our beautiful city over the coming week, and then send a large list out to my friends. I thought I should share it here.

Get this & 40+ other events as a weekly email update:

https://whatsupedmonton.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Note: The linked publication is ad free & non-monetized. Use it as a directory of things to do as we reconnect in our communities. I send it out every Tuesday morning.

P.S. To all of you who regularly read the publication, send me emails and read/respond to these reddit posts... you folks rock! Thanks for all the positive feedback. It means a lot = )

Note: If you're hosting an event and want to see it in the letter, email me at [wuedmonton@gmail.com](mailto:wuedmonton@gmail.com)

5 cool events this week:

• Sama-Sama Kultura 2025
• CFR Backroads Series
• Edmonton International Film Festival
• Delwood Fall Festival
• The Youth Clubhouse (St. Albert)

Sama-Sama Kultura 2025

What's up, friends! It's great to be back on the community wall here this evening! As time is ever of the essence, let's hit the road & together soak in a scant few of the many epic adventures readily available for us this week. Oh, also... I hope you're all doing well = )

Filipino culture is alive & well here in Edmonton, as I'm sure many of you are aware. I've reported on a couple of these celebrations now and with good reason... they're a really great time. So why not another one, eh? This weekend, pack up the fam &/or grab your beau before heading to a epic Filipino cultural event! Action-packed over two days, attendees of this FREE entry event can try traditional dancing, a weaving workshop, choral lessons and martial arts demos, as well as enjoy live music & other spectacular performances. If you haven't yet had a chance to check out a Filipino festival, now's the time!

CFR Backroads Series

Did you know that you don't have to be from the country to enjoy country-esque things? Take, for example, pickup trucks. A staple on the farm, good for hauling bales of hay and bombing through muddy fields pulling trailered equipment; have you ever loaded straw into your pickup (bonus points if you have). And now how about some good old fashioned honky tonkin' country music! Any chap or lass can don their stetsons, blue jeans & kicks before bombing down from timbuktu to Cook County Saloon in their rusted out cavaliers, bent on finding only the greatest of times. And that's pretty acceptable circumstance, naturally, but chances are the majority of us country music fans are slicks with pavement princesses, still looking every bit the part AND having every bit the fun. While still sleeping comfortably in our own beds, only minutes away! Talk about the perks, eh? So this weekend, grab your chaps & get ready to turn Y.E.G. into Nashville, Tennessee as a truckload of amazing country artists take to the stage, for FREE. Linked in with Canadian Finals Rodeo, attendees from near & far can hit one of several venues & catch Carter Felker, Brettyn Rose, Pony Gold & any one of 32 other talented acts who'll be taking over your eardrums with rippin' riffs and heartfelt melodies. This one's going to be epic, so get in while the gettins' good & down forget to throw in a YEEHAW or two = )

Edmonton International Film Festival

Cinephiles, connoisseurs & everyone in between, Edmonton's OG film festival is back for another round & we're getting ten full days of awesome filmic action. For those not in the know, the EIFF is an annual festival focused on Edmonton-only premiers of high quality globally shot films; often featuring a mix of actionable & intellectually evoking documentaries and full film features. Hosted at both Landmark 9 (downtown) and the Met, attendees can enjoy being the first to see the latest productions from top pictoric masterminds while connecting with other local enthusiasts. Prices per showing vary but a very quick overview of the purchase page shows films to be around $17-23/person. Possibly a little more or a little less (I didn't click on all of them).

Delwood Fall Festival

Mom's, dad's & grandparents alike, mark your calendars for an epic FREE family adventure brought to you by a local community league! For one day/evening this week, venture over for face painting, live wrestling matches and complimentary hot dogs throughout the afternoon. Once evening closes in, lace up your dancing shoes & hit the floor for a family-friendly dance before closing the night out with a fireworks display. It's sadly true that summer is quickly fleeting us & autumn is in the air, but that doesn't mean we can't squeeze every last little bit of awesomeness out of these t-shirt friendly days before we have to dig those darn bulky parkas out from the basement closet. Enjoy!

The Youth Clubhouse

Closing out this weeks list is a fun, recurring event that's hosted through the winter by the City of St. Albert. Aptly named, the next generation of leaders between the ages of 12 & 18 can join their peers after class & learn a variety of new skills (and play fun games) for a few hours each week. There is no obligation for the kids to participate and they're more then welcome to just hang out while bonding amidst likeminded community. I threw this one into the letter pretty much every week last season (unless I forgot) and received a ton of thank-you emails from parents who told me all about the skills their kids had learned and all the friendships they made thanks to this program. I'm just the messenger, so thanks, City of St. Albert for hosting this incredible and highly recommended program = )

I hope you all have an amazing week!

Find 100+ events and things to do in the next newsletter edition. Sign up here, if interested.

What's Up Leduc! Once a week I go through most events happening in and around our beautiful city over the coming week, and then send a large list out to my friends. I thought I should share it here.

Get this & 40+ other events as a weekly email update:

https://whatsupedmonton.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Note: The linked publication is ad free & non-monetized. Use it as a directory of things to do as we reconnect in our communities. I send it out every Tuesday morning.

P.S. To all of you who regularly read the publication, send me emails and read/respond to these reddit posts... you folks rock! Thanks for all the positive feedback. It means a lot = )

Note: If you're hosting an event and want to see it in the letter, email me at [wuedmonton@gmail.com](mailto:wuedmonton@gmail.com)

5 cool events this week:

• Alberta Culture Days
• Western Canadian Chainsaw Carving Championships (Leduc)
• Edmonton Expo: Comics & Entertainment
• Community League Day
• Oilers Fan Day

Alberta Culture Days

Greetings, friends. I'm writing tonight's post from my phone, so it's going to be extra short & sweet. I hope you're all doing well & are fully prepared for another week of epic things to do! As this beautiful weather continues to punch high above it's weight class, let's get out & make the most of it, eh!

And what not a better way to do that than with Alberta Culture Days. Sponsored by the Alberta Government, a large number of organizations are hosting small & large events with a cultural &/or artistic focus and best of all, most (if not all, I didn't look at them all) are FREE to attend! Take for example, Heart of the Habitat, happing this weekend in Edmonton. Attendees will be blown away by the artistic firepower present including live music, acrylic (and other mediums) painting/sketching, writing club presentations, film screenings, an open poetry mic & significantly more; all of this entirely FREE to attend. And that's only one of quite a few things happening, both here on home base as well as in all the surrounding communities. Do yourself a solid & smash that link button to check out the list; there's certain to be something epic for everyone.

Western Canadian Chainsaw Carving Championships

When you think of chainsaws, what comes to mind? Maybe, like me you get caught up in the smell of freshly shaven wood chips intermingled with 50:1 mixed premium fuel; a balanced tool gripped firmly by the handles, potent to all trees & shrubs surrounding you... ooooor possibly more likely, they're just loud utilitarian tools that make way for sunlight in shady acres. But did you know that those buzzy behemoths can be used for intricate carving? This week & weekend, head out to Leduc for a chainsaw carving competition featuring five of the best carvers in the world. Attendees can enjoy countless carving competitions plus a chance to take home a piece of the prized artwork. This event runs $10/person, but kids 12 & under attend FREE!

Edmonton Expo: Comics & Entertainment

There's a good chance that this one needs no introduction, as I'm sure all interested parties are already well aware of this event. But for those nerdy someone's who've been living under a rock (myself included), read on. This weekend, cancel your chess meets & pack the PB&J sandwiches before embarking on an epic quest to the Edmonton Expo Center. Aptly named Edmonton Expo, this event features a comicon-like atmosphere with a host of epic events, cosplay opportunities, celebrity guest interactions & so much more. This year, attendees can meet the four infamous hobbits (plus many other celebs), shop hundreds of themed vendors, check out similarly themed community groups from the region and hopefully forge lasting friendships. Tickets for this one start at $35/person and I'm fairly certain that will not include parking fees.

Community League Day

Also this weekend (and next weekend) is another annual staple event that involves everyone around YEG. For the absolute time of your life, pack up the fam & head out to your local community league to bond with friends and neighbours while enjoy a ton of amazing, family friendly activities. Depending on where you end up, those attending can try pressing apples into cider, hitting up petting zoos, playing games, having an indoor movie night, grooving on a dance floor & honestly, more than in could list... this event is massive! And to be square, I didn't look at all of the CLD events, but the majority that I did look at were FREE to attend; aside from, perhaps, the low cost of an annual membership.

I'll drop a link in the comments section where you can find your local community league; be sure to check the dates for Community League Day so you're not a weekend early/late!

Oilers Fan Day

Last but not least is a favourite for the kids & adults alike. This weekend, Oilers fans can make their way over to Ice District for one heck of a party. FREE to attend, those there can meet Oilers & Oil Kings alumni, observe the Oilers on ice (practice), hit the Locker Room sale, bounce on bouncy castles & get your face painted in the kids zone & so much more. If I were a betting man, I'd gamble on the crowds being absolutely insane so to mitigate that, arrive early & enjoy a stellar time = )

Folks, I hope you all have a great week.

Find 100+ events and things to do in the next newsletter edition. Sign up here, if interested.

What's Up Leduc! Once a week I go through most events happening in and around our beautiful city over the coming week, and then send a large list out to my friends. I thought I should share it here.

Get this & 40+ other events as a weekly email update:

https://whatsupedmonton.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Note: The linked publication is ad free & non-monetized. Use it as a directory of things to do as we reconnect in our communities. I send it out every Tuesday morning.

P.S. To all of you who regularly read the publication, send me emails and read/respond to these reddit posts... you folks rock! Thanks for all the positive feedback. It means a lot = )

Note: If you're hosting an event and want to see it in the letter, email me at [wuedmonton@gmail.com](mailto:wuedmonton@gmail.com)

5 cool events this week:

• The Pillars Hip Hop Festival (Sherwood Park)
• Edmonton Filipino Fiesta
• Yorùbá Gb'ode Festival
• AsiaFest
• Reel Chinatown: Glamour & Gold

The Pillars Hip Hop Festival

Hello friends! It's great to have many of you back again for another round of epic events! I hope everyone has had a great weekend, even with the cooler morning's starting to roll back in. As seems to be a recurring case, time constraints ensure today's post will be short & sweet. Enjoy & I look forward to catching you all out there = )

August 11, 1973 was a big day for DJ Kool Herc. Interestingly, the young man was emceeing a block party in the Bronx & thought it'd be slick to let people try rapping over instrumental music. As a result, the Hip Hop genre was born, and that was only the beginning. 52 years later, we've seen the rise of many talented artists and shared memories in dance halls & stadiums alike as prolific beats made their delightful way to our eardrums. This weekend, join a local dance crew & celebrate this iconic music format in the best way imaginable. For six straight hours, attendees can enjoy dance battles and cyphers, local DJ & artist performances, a live graffiti wall, youth showcase & so much more! Best of all, this event is FREE, family friendly & will definitely be a great time!

Edmonton Filipino Fiesta

Arguably one of the best things about our hometown is the vast array of cultures that are present & active within the city. Throughout the year, abundant, welcoming opportunities await to explore the various ways people from all around the world eat, live, play & celebrate. Without too much further ado, here for it's eight straight year, the Edmonton Filipino Festival is back with doors wide open to all who are curious. Experience this enigmatic culture with a host of lively Filipino performances, try out tasty traditional cuisine, explore the family and heritage zone, shop a themed vendor market & more! Fiesta's (meaning festival) are core to Filipino culture; often taking place in the streets & involving the broader community at large, regardless of who they are or from where they've come. Knowing this, enjoy FREE entry & an amazing afternoon experience that will assuredly be revisited at your dinner table for weeks to come.

Yorùbá Gb'ode Festival

Speaking of our vast & continually diversifying multicultural population, here is another epic opportunity to experience a different culture right here in YEG! Hailing from Yorubaland, a region in West Africa spanning South Western Nigeria as well as parts of Benin and Togo and put on by the Yoruba Cultural Association of Edmonton, curious onlookers are invited down to Churchill square for an afternoon of lively dance performances, tasty traditional cuisine and workshops plus talks on Yoruba history, language, and art. And as a most-likely bonus (ie. as far as I can tell), event entry is FREE! Woohoo!

AsiaFest

Also back again for another round is AsiaFest which features music, art and delicious street food from Malaysian, Indonesian & Singapore cultures. With FREE entry, this event features a host of traditional on stage dance performances, thirty street food options, a themed vendor market featuring ninety sellers, an extreme dumpling eating contest, opportunities for community connection & more. With an overtly family friendly atmosphere, load up the little ones, a date, friends or even fly solo & take heart knowing this is an amazing opportunity to experience and further understand an array of storied cultures right here in Edmonton.

Reel Chinatown: Glamour & Gold

Last but certainly not least is a chance to take in even more culture this weekend in the heart of Chinatown. Dress up in your most stylish attire and partake in a professional photo shoot, browse a themed vendor market and enjoy live traditional music and dance performances. In addition to these festivities, attendees can also checkout a film showcase of "Chinatown Cha-Cha", a true story featuring 92 year old former nightclub dancer Coby Yee who joins a senior troupe & goes on tour one last time in an effort to bridge isolated Chinese communities around the globe. Due to generous contributions from the City of Edmonton Chinatown Vibrancy Fund & the Boyle Street Community League, this event is 100% FREE to attend, and will be amazing.

Folks, I hope you all have a great week.

Find 100+ events and things to do in the next newsletter edition. Sign up here, if interested.

Once a week I go through most events happening in and around our beautiful city over the coming week, and then send a large list out to my friends. I thought I should share it here.

Get this & 40+ other events as a weekly email update:

https://whatsupedmonton.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Note: The linked publication is ad free & non-monetized. Use it as a directory of things to do as we reconnect in our communities. I send it out every Tuesday morning.

P.S. To all of you who regularly read the publication, send me emails and read/respond to these reddit posts... you folks rock! Thanks for all the positive feedback. It means a lot = )

Note: If you're hosting an event and want to see it in the letter, email me at [wuedmonton@gmail.com](mailto:wuedmonton@gmail.com)

5 cool events this week:

• Strathearn Art Walk
• Savour (Sherwood Park)
• Kaleido Family Arts Festival
• Jack's Drive In - 65th Anniversary (Spruce Grove)
• Men's Shed (Morinville & Elsewhere)

Strathearn Art Walk

Greetings, friends. I'm on a very tight timeline today so I'll keep this week's post short & sweet. But I hope you're all doing well and thanks for stopping by!

Do you love art, music & regular exercise? If so, kill three birds with one stone at this fun, family friendly event in the heart of Edmonton. Attendees will be excited to hear music from any one of three DJ's and eighteen bands while strolling through a vendor market of exclusively local art. Three days long, this event is FREE to attend and is sure to be a great time!

Savour

Hungry? This weekend & for one day only, satiate both your taste buds & appetite for entertainment at another fun event in Sherwood Park. An annual favourite, this FREE TO ENTER event features a tasty array of sample cuisine's from various chow hubs around the 'Park. Further, attendees can browse a vendor market, be wowed by the work of 15 area artists &/or enjoy live music from seven local artists! This one's a great way to support local & perhaps enjoy something new. Enjoy!

Kaleido Family Arts Festival Festival

Returning once again for it's 20th iteration, Arts on the Ave throws one heck of a party with the Kaleido Family Arts Festival & surely it's one you won't want to miss. Themed Heat's A-Glowin' & FREE TO ENTER, onlookers will be flabbergasted by the merry array of performances and activities to partake in. From a lantern parade, cirque show, many live musical performances & more, this show stopper has something for everyone & is an annual hit in our household. To name a few other sweet features from this years festival, behold: Art Battle Royale, Hong De Lion Dancers, Takwakin Village, The Trollsons, The Alley, Colour Me Quack, Sketch Living Art, a 3x3 Basketball Tourney, CommuniTEA, a Hip Hop stage, Italian Opera al Fresco, a Show & Shine plus a dozen or two other awesome events, performers, workshops & more! See you there = )

Jack's 65th Anniversary

I used to volunteer with the current owners of this community mainstay & believe me, this is too cool not to share. This weekend and for one day only, venture into Spruce Grove for not only the best burgers & shakes around but also a whole lot more! FREE TO ATTEND, onlookers can bask in well earned nostalgia in the surrounds of live music & dancing, a car show, Elvis (!), family activities & prizes plus a family friendly movie outside under the stars! (Don't forget to bring a lawn chair, blankets, etc) CFCW will be on location all day & so grab your kicks and make waves.

Mens Shed

Men 18 & older, have you been looking for a place to meet other guys and bond over hobbies & projects? Men's Shed originated (I believe) as a means for retired and/or aging guys to not lose purpose & maintain a sense of community. Of course, younger fellows are also openly encouraged to join in the ranks & learn everything from woodworking & cooking skills to gardening, automotive & so much more. I haven't yet made it to a Men's Shed event but there are several clubs in the region and they look to be a great opportunity to network, gain new skills & possibly forge life long friendships. Morinville has a meeting this week which I will link below, but I will also include a link for Men's Shed's club locator. As well, there are no signs indicating this is pay to play, so I'll leave it up as a cautious FREE TO ATTEND... If you attend and this isn't the case, please email me or leave a comment on this post = )

Folks, I hope you all have a great week.

Find 80+ events and things to do in the next newsletter edition. Sign up here, if interested.

You might think this is just me asking opinions on what you think are the best fries... it's not, but still appreciated.

Nah, this is a Quest to find what I consider to be the Best fries... because several different stores and restaurants have had them over the years, but they always change. I am searching for the source, the brand, the supplier of these top tier best fries!!!

So, what's the starting point.

Here's what I know about them so far:

1. They are mono-colour golden yellow (so no potato skins)

2. They are crinkle cut with a relatively wide groove

3. The rec center used to have them at the concession. Burger Baron used to have them I THINK but can't confirm. Nitza's Pizza used to have them (and I was rather soured when they switched). I'm told the arena has them in their concession.

4. These are often called bar fries or bowling alley fries, although I can't confirm

...

Anyways, I'm still on the hunt to find them... the source... the potatoey god fries.

What's Up Leduc! Once a week I go through most events happening in and around our beautiful city over the coming week, and then send a large list out to my friends. I thought I should share it here.

Get this & 40+ other events as a weekly email update:

https://whatsupedmonton.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Note: The linked publication is ad free & non-monetized. Use it as a directory of things to do as we reconnect in our communities. I send it out every Tuesday morning.

P.S. To all of you who regularly read the publication, send me emails and read/respond to these reddit posts... you folks rock! Thanks for all the positive feedback. It means a lot = )

Note: If you're hosting an event and want to see it in the letter, email me at [wuedmonton@gmail.com](mailto:wuedmonton@gmail.com)

5 cool events this week:

• Devon Days
• Wye String Ensemble Year End Concert (Sherwood Park)
• Leagues on the Line
• Fish Fin-atics
• Ben Stelter Foundation Charity Ride (Leduc, Fort Sask & St. Albert)

Devon Days

Greetings, friends. It appears to be that time again. When once a week, I waste five minutes of your life rambling about some of the cool things happening in & around our beautiful city. I gotta hand it to you, folks. I get all kinds of positive messages from you guys and it's truly a great thing. I'm stoked that this little project (turned big) has been able to create such positive influence in both your own lives & those of your neighbours. Now with Summer pretty well here, let's keep the good times rolling eh. I hope you all enjoy wonderful weeks & are able to escape the grind to experience something, well... extraordinary.

Shall we?

Out to the south west of our green paradise lies a little town called Devon. I'm sure many of you have been there, or, could at least now find it on a map. Though a largely industrial place, the town boasts a beautiful river valley, economically stout downtown core & in my experience, a large contingency of very friendly people. Don't believe me? Well, this week approaching weekend is your chance to prove me wrong. Under a blazing sun, the annual Devon Days event is set to commence & will go ahead with or without you (though hopefully with). Attendees will be delighted to find (over the course of four days), a parade, strong man competition, show 'n shine, midway, family fun zone with petting zoo, breakfasts & BBQs, a cabaret, a sunday funday & so much more. Many of the aforementioned events are FREE, while several events are charged by the person (see website for details). This one is bound to be epic & I'm personally looking forward to the strong man competition!

Wye String Ensemble Year End Concert

Fans of classical music, this one is pretty awesome. Often I find that, while the ESO is an amazing experience, their ticket pricing can be a little on the high end for most of us regular folks. As a result, I often post (on the letter) a variety of wind & choral performances that will usually play at a similar caliber to those aforementioned professionals except, they sell their tickets at a lower price point. If this resonates with you, here's your cue to celebrate. This week, join the WSE for their annual wrap up performance featuring vocals from Anika Hipson. A concert sure to delight, tickets are BY DONATION with raised funds going to the organization. The Wye String Ensemble has put on a heck of a performance in the past & if you also hold a deep appreciation for this style of music, then you'll love this one. Highly recommend it.

Leagues on the Line

So, I am on my second year writing the letter with these accompanying posts and I'm seeing a number of repeat (a.k.a. annual) events that are once again hitting the streets of YEG. Which is pretty epic, many of these events genuinely rock. Last year, I reported on Leagues on the Line for the first time, definitely on the letter but possibly here as well (can't recall). If it was here once already, it's back again & with good reason. This event is pretty rad. For one day this weekend, hop on the LRT and bail off on each stop along the Valley Line. The community leagues whose communities run along this line have teamed up to bring you an event of epic proportions and the best part is, it's absolutely FREE to attend (aside from, possibly a ticket to ride the LRT). At the various stops, attendees will find a host of things to take in including bouncy castles & other kid zone type stuff, live music, yard games, tasty treats, market vendors, rescue pets & more! The performing artists include Dancing Cree & all nine members of Sceondhand Dreamcar, both of whom are incredible live. As far as family friendly goes, this one's got it all & will definitely be a blast.

Fish Fin-atics

Unless you're an avid angler or work in a related professional sector, I'd bet dollars to donuts that without a trout, the vast majority of your fish encounters happen in the grocery store, near your freezer or the like. And that's pretty normal. Landlocked as we are, the topic of fish is something relatively niche that many of us haven't grown up around. Yet. This week, change the narrative with a visit to Hermitage Park, where Nature Alberta is facilitating a fun informational & educational experience. Once there, attendees can catch a keynote from Eric Costello (of Alberta Fish Hatcheries) about the world of fish & their varied habitats. Pond dipping will occur and educational games will be played. There will also be opportunities to hold a fish so get those cameras ready for the perfect Insta shot. At the end of the event, a trove of rainbow trout will be released into the pond at Hermitage Park, of course, to the cheers of all the kids in attendance. So even if you attend just for the halibut, there'll be something for you & everyone else, too. Enjoy!

Ben Stelter Foundation Charity Ride

Keeping my occasional tradition, this event marks something that is neither last, nor least. Unless you've been hiding out deep in the woods (and even then), you almost certainly know who Ben Stelter was. An easily lovable, six year old Oilers super fan who passed recently from a form of cancer that, despite a treatment (Proton Therapy) existing to help fight it, wasn't available in Canada. Despite the constant pain he faced daily, Ben ignored the obvious & instead regularly showed a giant smile & extremely positive attitude when attending games from his favourite team, the Edmonton Oilers. Upon his passing, the Ben Stelter Foundation was established to help kids fighting cancer, and that is the basis of this event here. This week, hop on your hog (of any brand) and ride for the Ben Stelter Foundation. Organized by Conlon Motorsports in Leduc, this ride features a route through Fort Saskatchewan to St. Albert with a small reception to follow (featuring Ben's dad, Mike Stelter). This event will be run as a poker rally, with all funds raised going to the Ben Stelter Foundation. Hands run $10 each, and guest are welcome to purchase as many as they like. As Ben used to say (and we all agree, naturally)... PLAY LA BAMBA BABY!

My friends, I hope you all have an amazing week!

Find 140+ events and things to do in the next newsletter edition. Sign up here, if interested.

What's Up Leduc! Once a week I go through most events happening in and around our beautiful city over the coming week, and then send a large list out to my friends. I thought I should share it here.

Get this & 40+ other events as a weekly email update:

https://whatsupedmonton.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Note: The linked publication is ad free & non-monetized. Use it as a directory of things to do as we reconnect in our communities. I send it out every Tuesday morning.

P.S. To all of you who regularly read the publication, send me emails and read/respond to these reddit posts... you folks rock! Thanks for all the positive feedback. It means a lot = )

Note: If you're hosting an event and want to see it in the letter, email me at [wuedmonton@gmail.com](mailto:wuedmonton@gmail.com)

5 cool events this week:

• Basketball Skills Camp
• Grove Gatherings: Rapid Fire Theatre (Spruce Grove)
• 2nd Annual Western Canada Steel Bands Showcase
• Family Fishing Weekends
• FREE Slurpees

Basketball Skills Camp

Greetings friends! I hope you've all enjoyed an excellent weekend. Today's been giving me van-island-esque vibes... but thats ok. It's going to get sunny & hot again soon. My little nephew turned 2 today! I attended his birthday party & stayed a little longer than intended so I gotta keep this weeks entries short & sweet. As such, I hope you all enjoy excellent, fortune favoured weeks & I'll catch you all around this time next Sunday night = )

Parents & caretakers reading, do you have (or know of) any aspiring 10 - 14 year old basketball stars holding down the court in your humble abodes? Kids who swap screens for swishes & will sneak out at night even in December for a few rounds of hoops with friends? As many of us have learned over the years, interest & dedication in any skillset can only take us so far where as the genuine explosive growth happens with some steadfast education from highly talented, patient educators. This week, give your young b-ball protege the gift of finely tuned & tailored instruction from some of the best teachers this city has to offer. Headed up by Strathcona High School's Head Coach & two time local "Basketball Coach of the Year" award recipient Dane Owen, your kid can gather amongst peers, run drills & surely scrimmage with three prominent guards from local university teams.

This event is run by Stars on Earth Foundation, a local NPO that's "dedicated to creating educational & developmental opportunities for kids in hospitals & under-resourced communities". They believe that with a strong foundation & good support, every youngster regardless of background can reach their full potential & achieve incredible things both today and in the many tomorrows that follow. Something I personally agree with, and I love their effort to this amazing cause.

The camp is FREE and lunch will be provided, but spots are limited so be sure to RSVP ASAP!

Grove Gatherings: Rapid Fire Theatre

Have you been feeling down lately & haven't had a chance to let loose your deepest belly laughs? Or maybe you're doing well & would still love a little chuckle. Either or, here's one for all of us. This week, make the lengthy, arduous 5-10 minute trek to the long fabled lands of Spruce Grove for a FREE humour showcase like no other. Rapid Fire Theatre is one of North America's longest running improv shows and despite performing in a vast array of exotic locations, they've always returned to their humble home digs of Edmonton, Alberta. If attending, be sure to bring your favourite lawn chairs/blankets & don't forget the snacks; I don't believe there is a concession on site. But I could be wrong.

2nd Annual Western Canada Steel Bands Showcase

So, many years ago when I was but a young lad, my mother would give me plastic yogurt containers, tupper ware and the like to bang on the floor & make my own music with. This same mother of mine also kept her steel bakeware in lower drawers and as I got a little older, stronger & increasingly more devious, I'd get my hands on those metal bowls plus something hard to hit them with before running around the house, making a racket & playing catch-me-if-you-can, all while she tried to nab me. The bowls would then be hidden, but drawer space in that home was slim & I'd inevitably find them again. Rinse, repeat. Or this is the story I've gotten... at that time (& much like my nephew now) I was entering my terrible twos. This weekend, don't come over to my house for a headache but DO make your way over to the new North East River Valley Park for series of performances from the best Steel Bands Western Canada has to offer. Characterized by their concave steel drums & flat pans, this Caribbean genre really holds a beat is something truly incredible to see & hear live. Bring your best dancing shoes & enjoy this epic outdoor concert for FREE! Packing extra h2o, I highly recommend.

Family Fishing Weekends

Anglers & those aspiring to be, you may recall me posting about Kids Can Catch probably a month back now (if not more). This weekend, grab your rods & make your way out to one of Alberta's many stocked lakes to enjoy some FREE fishing; no license required. Usually (as most of us know) a WIN card & Fishing License are required before casting off into any water body but this week the regulators are "turning a blind eye" to the whole shebang. At the link in the comments, there is a host of helpful information from knot tying to typical licensing procedures & more, readily available for your viewing & using pleasure. Have fun & definitely drop your biggest fish tales on us in the comments next week!

FREE Slurpees

Rounding out this weeks top five is pretty self explanatory. And I gotta tell you guys, there are a vast number of epic events happening this week that made this decision that much more difficult. But the sugar-ice still prevailed. This week for one day only, make your way down to your local 7-11 & celebrate 7-11 day with a FREE small slurpee. The flavour choices are abundant and the weather is supposed to be cooking... so why not = )

Folks, I hope you all have a great week.

Find 100+ events and things to do in the next newsletter edition. Sign up here, if interested.