Good Morning, Edmonton! 🌧️
This is perhaps not the most pleasant weather to wake up to (nor is it the forecast we want for May Long), alas, we’ve become accustomed to the inclemency, haven’t we?
Not to worry, River City Lights is here to be the bearer of all things good.
I hope you love this week’s issue, and that you have an incredible long weekend!
—Eric
Today’s Edition:
🌨️ May Long weather could bring wind, rain, and even snow before sunshine returns Sunday
🥕 Downtown Farmers’ Market officially returns to 104 Street this Saturday
🏃 Free November Project workouts continue every Wednesday & Friday in Edmonton
🎧 Long weekend events include HUGEL at ICE District + the Michael Jackson HIStory Show
📍 Whyte Ave icon Gravity Pope remains one of Edmonton’s coolest homegrown success stories
This Week In YEG
May Long Weather Whiplash 🌨️ Edmonton’s long weekend forecast is looking very…Alberta. With rain, strong winds, chilly temperatures, and even a chance of snow (…what?) heading into the weekend. Environment Canada has already issued wind warnings with gusts up to 90–100 km/h expected Thursday, while temperatures may struggle to hit double digits through Saturday before sunshine returns Sunday.
Looks like we’re in store for another gloomy May long weekend. | Photo: Edmonton Journal
The Province Looks to Invest Further in Education Alberta 📚 says it will invest $200 million to hire more than 1,400 new teachers for the 2026–27 school year, with the goal of reducing class sizes from kindergarten through Grade 9. The province says the funding comes as Alberta schools continue dealing with record enrolment growth across the province.
Hopes of smaller class sizes coming to schools across Alberta. | Photo: CTV News
Edmonton Queen Stranded on Mother’s Day 🚢 More than 200 passengers aboard the Edmonton Queen Riverboat were stranded Sunday after a mechanical issue disabled one of the vessel’s paddlewheels during a Mother’s Day brunch cruise. Fire crews and rescue boats helped passengers safely evacuate after the boat was gently beached along the riverbank, with no injuries reported.
Emergency crews assisting passengers. | Photo: Christa Jones/City News
Oilers Fire Coach Kris Knoblauch 🏒 The Edmonton Oilers have parted ways with head coach Kris Knoblauch following the team’s disappointing first-round playoff exit. Knoblauch, who took over midway through the 2023–24 season, led Edmonton to back-to-back Stanley Cup Final appearances. Reports suggest Edmonton has already explored potential replacements as pressure mounts to capitalize on the team’s championship window with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl still in their prime.
Despite back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals appearances, the Oilers have fired Knoblauch after this season’s disappointing early playoff exit. | Photo: TSN
Support for Edmonton’s Green and Gold Community Garden 🌱 After nearly two decades of growing food by hand, Edmonton’s Green and Gold Community Garden is fundraising for new farming equipment to help keep the volunteer-run space sustainable long-term. The garden, located on the University of Alberta farm, donates all proceeds to support women’s education and employment programs in Rwanda. Help them reach their $25,000 goal. You can donate by clicking here!
Volunteers at the garden last Tuesday. | Photo: James Dunn, CityNews
Free Things To Do
🆓 November Project Edmonton (Every Wednesday/Friday at 6am) 🏃 FREE workouts + community! Every Wednesday November Project meets at Commonwealth at 6am to run the stadium stairs (it’s incredible). Every Friday they’re at Walterdale Hill, and some holiday Monday’s (including this coming one) they do special themed workouts, too! The community is extremely welcoming and positive—a great thing to be a part of! Follow their Instagram to stay up to date, or “just show up!”
Running with NP at Commonwealth is the most amazing mid-week activity in Edmonton. | Photo: November Project Canada
🆓 Moose Hide Campaign Day (Today, May 14th) 🧡 Edmonton City Hall will host a community gathering for the annual Moose Hide Campaign — a grassroots initiative uniting Indigenous and non-Indigenous men and boys in a shared commitment to ending violence against women and children. 1:30PM at Sir Winston Churchill Square.
Taking place this afternoon downtown! | Photo: City of Edmonton
🆓 Downtown Farmers’ Market Returns (Saturday, May 16th) 🥕 One of Edmonton’s favourite summer traditions is back this Saturday as the Downtown Farmers’ Market returns to 104 Street for the outdoor season. Local produce, baked goods, handmade products, patio drinks, food vendors, and live downtown energy every Saturday through October.
Nothing like wandering through the patina of 104th street on a Saturday afternoon. | Photo: EDBA
Paid Events You’ll Love
🎟️ FascinAsian Film Festival (Until Saturday, May 16th) Wrapping up this Saturday, the FascinAsian Film Festival brings five collective days of Pan-Asian films, short screenings, filmmaker Q&As, and cultural events to venues across downtown Edmonton. Still time to catch some flicks!
Running for its second year in Edmonton! Just a couple more days! | Photo: Global News
🎟️ Sunset Yoga Pass (May 17 - September) 🧘 Looking for a peaceful Sunday ritual this summer? Get access to to 16 outdoor evening yoga sessions running from this Sunday through September. Golden hour views, all-level flows, and an ideal way to reset before the week ahead! Buy your pass here!
Get outside and soak in the sun with new community and friends! | Photo: Edmonton Events
🎟️ Michael Jackson HIStory Show (Sunday, May 17th) 🕺 Coming to the Winspear Centre this Sunday (7pm), featuring a live band, choreographed dancers, iconic costumes, and all the hits — from Billie Jean and Thriller to ABC and Smooth Criminal. The touring tribute celebrates 30 years since Jackson’s legendary HIStory world tour with a full-scale theatrical production. Tickets!
Take in the King of Pop spectacle this weekend at the Winspear! | Photo: Winspear
🎟️ HUGEL at ICE District (Sunday, May 17th) 🎧 French house DJ and producer HUGEL is bringing a 360° set to The Tent in Fan Park this Sunday night (7pm) for a long weekend party downtown. High-energy Latin house, festival-style visuals, and a packed crowd for one of the bigger electronic shows of the month. Tickets!
For any EDM fans looking for a new sound, this might interest you! | Photo: ICE District
Worth Your Time
The “Rat Creek Rebellion” Helped Create Edmonton’s Police Force
In 1892, Edmontonians became furious after the federal government planned to move the local land titles office to South Edmonton (now Old Strathcona). Protesters gathered at Rat Creek and tensions escalated enough that authorities brought in the North-West Mounted Police.
The Kinnaird Ravine (Rat Creek) Bridge | Photo: Forgotten Edmonton
The incident became known as the “Rat Creek Rebellion” — and the unrest ultimately contributed to Edmonton establishing its own police force shortly afterward.
The beginnings of the EPS. | Photo: Edmonton Police Service
Edmonton and Strathcona were bitter rivals at the time, fiercely competing for economic influence before the two cities eventually amalgamated in 1912. A simple government office relocation became symbolic of which side of the river would ultimately dominate the region’s future.
Local Finds
Gravity Pope 📍10442 Whyte Ave NW
Gravity Pope began as a small shoe shop on Whyte Avenue in 1990 and quietly grew into one of Canada’s most respected independent fashion retailers. The original flagship store on Whyte Ave became known for carrying hard-to-find designers and globally respected brands long before they became mainstream.
Inside the now historic Whyte Ave location. | Photo: Gravity Pope
Despite now operating across Canada, Gravity Pope still feels deeply tied to Edmonton’s identity and remains one of the city’s most influential homegrown retail success stories! Visit them this weekend!
Before You Go…
While the long weekend isn’t looking that great weather-wise, I hope you have some time off of work at the very least. Enjoy these next few days, and I’ll talk to you next week!
