Hi Edmonton,
Wettest summer on record, two severe storms in one week, and August has more lined up. But the long weekend is here anyway, Heritage Fest is back, and there are two changes at Hawrelak you'll want to know before you go.
— The Edmonton Edit
💛 Thank You To The People Who Keep This Going
If you've been reading for a while and it's become part of your week, consider joining them. Even a few bucks a month helps more than you'd think.
Become a monthly supporter: https://buy.stripe.com/dRm4gtaOE2hW06V9S6cZa00
Prefer to just chip in once? That works too, and it's just as appreciated.
Make a one-time contribution: https://buymeacoffee.com/theedmontonedit
Either way, thank you for reading. This city's better with a few more people paying attention to it, and you're one of them.
⚡ Quick Hits
No public parking at Hawrelak for Heritage Fest. Park and Ride from Davies, Eaux Claires or Meadows — buses every 5–10 minutes.
Food tickets are dead. Pavilions take debit and credit directly this year.
Wettest summer on record. More storms expected through August, so keep an indoor backup for anything outside.
The Hlinka Gretzky Cup starts Monday at Rogers Place. Tickets from ~$28 to watch future first-rounders.
GRETA's downtown arcade bar is closed for good. Calgary, Vancouver and Toronto locations live on.
Looking for mortgage advice that actually feels personal?
David Schunker is an Alberta-based mortgage broker helping clients make sense of home financing, whether they’re buying their first home, investing, renewing, or simply trying to find a mortgage that better fits their goals.
With a friendly, one-on-one approach, David focuses on making the mortgage process feel clear, smooth, and less overwhelming for local homeowners and buyers.
You can reach David for a free consultation by calling 403-921-8564, emailing [email protected], or visiting dsmsolutions.ca.
📰 What's Happening
Heritage Day, Monday August 3: What's Open, What's Closed, and Whether You Get Paid
Heritage Day is an optional general holiday in Alberta — not statutory — which is what decides whether your employer owes you holiday pay. Check your contract before assuming.
The Monday rundown:
Transit runs a reduced Sunday schedule, with extra Heritage Festival Park and Ride stacked on top.
EPL branches are expected to be closed.
Counting on a bus or your local branch Monday? Plan around a thinner day.
It's Official: Wettest Summer Ever, and August Isn't Done
The record comes off a brutal late July. The July 25 storm downed power lines, flooded underpasses, and blew rain right into the Commonwealth concourse mid-Post Malone. Same night, the Riverhawks called their game in the ninth because water was pooling on the field at RE/MAX. A second storm hit July 26 — downed lines at 32 Street and 122 Avenue, road closures across the city.
The takeaway for your weekend: whatever you plan outdoors, know where you'd go indoors.
Partner With Us
The Edmonton Edit reaches locals who actually read the whole thing, the kind of people who show up, try the new spot, buy the tickets. If you run a business, a venue, an event, or a cause worth knowing about, we'd love to hear from you.
Reach us at [email protected]
🏛 City Update
184 Street Bridge rehab starts this month.
The bridge over Yellowhead Trail joins the 112 Avenue Bridge (under rehab since spring), with the 99 Street Bridge over Whitemud queued for early 2027 and the 149 Street Bridge still in planning. West end drivers: that crossing is a construction zone for a while. → https://www.edmonton.ca/projects_plans/roads
Bookmark, don't read: the City's weekly traffic disruption page.
New and completed closures, special event impacts, and a river valley trail disruption map, updated through construction season. Check it Friday mornings before committing to a route. → https://www.edmonton.ca/transportation/current-traffic-disruptions
📅 Things To Do (Next 5 Days)
──────── TODAY · FRIDAY ────────
📚 epl2go Pop-up Library 📍 Playgrounds & spray parks, citywide 🕐 Daytime, through Aug 28 · 💰 Free Literary Vans + reading activities. Zero commitment. Perfect with kids. → https://www.epl.ca/
🏀 Stingers vs Saskatoon Mamba 📍 Edmonton EXPO Centre 🕐 7:00 pm · 💰 Ticketed CEBL basketball, indoors. A solid rain hedge. → https://www.ticketmaster.ca/discover/edmonton?categoryId=KZFzniwnSyZfZ7v7nE
🍟 Sabor Fish & Chips Pop-up 📍 Sabor, Downtown 🕐 Fridays through August · 💰 Pay per plate Proceeds to Ronald McDonald House + Santa's Anonymous. → https://edifyedmonton.com/active/things-to-do-active/25-things-to-do-in-august-2026/
──────── SATURDAY ────────
🎉 Heritage Festival — Day 1 📍 William Hawrelak Park 🕐 10:00 am · 💰 Free entry Year 53. No food tickets — pavilions take debit/credit. No parking — Park and Ride only. No pets. Comfy shoes. → https://www.heritagefest.ca/2026festival
🥕 Downtown Farmers Market 📍 104 Street, Downtown 🕐 10:00 am · 💰 Free ~35 vendors, dog friendly, live music, drinks allowed on the block. → https://www.edmontondowntown.com/farmersmarket/
🥖 Old Strathcona Farmers' Market 📍 Old Bus Barn, Old Strathcona 🕐 8:00 am · 💰 Free 130+ vendors, indoors. Free bike valet until 3 pm. → https://osfm.ca/
🎶 124 Street Afternoon Sound Sessions 📍 124 Street, Westmount 🕐 Afternoon · 💰 Free Live music right on the street, every Saturday this month. → https://edifyedmonton.com/active/things-to-do-active/25-things-to-do-in-august-2026/
🎪 Downtown Summer Block Party 📍 Rice Howard Way, Downtown 🕐 Daytime · 💰 Free Music, patios, local shops. Runs every Saturday to Sept 19. → https://edifyedmonton.com/active/things-to-do-active/25-things-to-do-in-august-2026/
🏈 Elks vs Roughriders 📍 Commonwealth Stadium 🕐 5:00 pm · 💰 Resale from ~$28 Rider Nation invades — green everywhere, as always. TSN/CBSSN if you'd rather stay dry. → https://www.ticketmaster.ca/edmonton-elks-tickets/artist/891207
🎨 Dirtying The Paper — Closing Day 📍 Bugera Lamb Fine Art 🕐 Gallery hours · 💰 Free Last chance for the group drawing show. → https://infoedmonton.com/article/whats-happening-this-long-weekend-august-1st-2nd-and-3rd/
──────── SUNDAY ────────
🏀 Stingers vs Ottawa BlackJacks 📍 Edmonton EXPO Centre 🕐 4:00 pm · 💰 Ticketed Indoors, out of the weather. The counter-programming to Heritage Fest crowds. → https://www.ticketmaster.ca/discover/edmonton?categoryId=KZFzniwnSyZfZ7v7nE
──────── MONDAY · HERITAGE DAY ────────
🏒 Hlinka Gretzky Cup: USA vs Czechia (opener) 📍 Rogers Place, Ice District 🕐 1:00 pm · 💰 From ~$28 The U18 tournament opens with the defending champs. Watch future first-rounders for cheap. → https://www.hlinkagretzkycup.ca/en-ca/tickets
🏒 Hlinka Gretzky Cup: Canada vs Switzerland 📍 Rogers Place, Ice District 🕐 5:00 pm · 💰 From ~$28 Canada opens its run at a first gold since winning here in 2024. → https://www.hlinkagretzkycup.ca/en-ca/tickets
──────── TUESDAY ────────
🏒 Hlinka Gretzky Cup: Canada vs Slovakia 📍 Rogers Place, Ice District 🕐 TBC — check before you go · 💰 From ~$28 Game two of Canada's prelims. → https://www.hlinkagretzkycup.ca/en-ca/tickets
──────── WEDNESDAY ────────
🎵 Christ Church Anglican Outdoor Concerts 📍 Christ Church Anglican 🕐 Evening, Wednesdays in August · 💰 Free Small sets on the church grounds. Easiest midweek plan there is. → https://edifyedmonton.com/active/things-to-do-active/25-things-to-do-in-august-2026/
🏒 Hlinka Gretzky Cup: Canada vs Sweden 📍 Rogers Place, Ice District 🕐 TBC — check before you go · 💰 From ~$28 Canada's last prelim before the medal round. → https://www.hlinkagretzkycup.ca/en-ca/tickets
🍽 New In Edmonton
❌ Closed: GRETA Bar 📍 Downtown · 🕹 Arcade bar Closed July 26 — owner cites the grind of running a room downtown. Calgary, Vancouver, Toronto stay open. Stings.
✅ Now open: Heo Bake 📍 9407 98 Ave NW · 🥐 Vietnamese fusion bakery & cafe Small spot near Bonnie Doon. So new the food notes didn't have an opening date. Treat it as a find.
✅ Now open: Ariana Kitchen 📍 13720 50 St NW · 🍢 Afghan & Turkish Two cuisines, one kitchen, open since early July. Worth the drive northeast.
If something in here made your week a little better, send it to a friend. Forward this email or subscribe here: https://theedmontonedit.com/subscribe
The more locals we have, the better every edition gets.
That's it for today. Take care of yourself out there, and take care of someone else while you're at it.
See you Tuesday!
