Good Morning, Edmonton! ☀️

Summer feels like it’s slipping away faster than we can grasp it! If it’s not rain, it’s smoke. 💨 I think we all just need a few weeks of uninterrupted sunshine…

Alas, the world keeps spinning!

There’s an unsettling murmur in the downtown core with a number of restaurants being forced to close; there’s never been a more important time to get out and support local businesses when you can!

Wishing you a wonderful end to the week. Enjoy River City Lights!

—Eric

Downtown Restaurant Closures Spark Concern 🍽️ A string of downtown restaurant closures, including Greta Bar YEG, has business owners talking about the challenges facing Edmonton’s core. Owners point to a mix of construction, reduced foot traffic, rising costs, accessibility concerns, and thin margins, while the City says it is investing in downtown vibrancy and working to support the area.

Edmonton’s Paula Findlay Wins First Full Ironman 🏊‍♀️🚴‍♀️🏃‍♀️ A reminder that Edmontonians are out there doing incredible things around the world: Edmonton-born Paula Findlay entered her first-ever full-distance Ironman in Lake Placid and won the whole thing! She finished the 226-km race in 8:47:43, set a new women’s bike course best time, and qualified for the Ironman World Championship in Kona this October. Congratulations, Paula!

Water Safety Week Offers Summer Reminder 🛟 With recent record rainfall raising water levels in the North Saskatchewan River and stormwater ponds, the City of Edmonton is reminding everyone to stay safe during National Drowning Prevention Week. Simple steps like supervising kids closely, swimming with a buddy, staying sober near water, and wearing a properly fitted life jacket can help keep summer outings safe.

Alberta Shares Passenger Rail Plan 🚆 Alberta is hosting a virtual information session Thursday evening to walk residents through its long-term Passenger Rail Master Plan. The 30-year vision includes airport-to-downtown rail in Edmonton and Calgary, a future high-speed rail connection between the two cities, and potential passenger rail links to Banff and other communities across the province.

Citadel Theatre Shines at the Sterling Awards 🎭 Edmonton’s theatre scene had a big night at the Elizabeth Sterling Haynes Awards, with Citadel Theatre productions winning 14 mainstage awards across acting, music, design, direction, and production categories. Highlights included Legally Blonde winning Outstanding Musical and Jessy Ardern’s adaptation of Cyrano de Bergerac taking home Outstanding New Play.

🆓 Cultural Campfires (Thursday, July 23) 🔥 Gather at Shikaoi Park in Stony Plain for an evening of stories and cultural learning led by community storytellers. The free, rain-or-shine program begins at 7 PM, so bring a lawn chair and settle in for a relaxed night of community connection!

🆓 Taste of Edmonton (July 23–26) 🍴 Taste of Edmonton wraps up its final days in Churchill Square with restaurant vendors, artisans, children’s activities, and free performances from local artists and Canadian headliners. Admission and entertainment are free, with food samples available for purchase!

🆓 Cultural Fest 2026 (Saturday, July 25) 🌎 Louise McKinney Riverfront Park hosts a free multicultural celebration with cultural performances, music, food vendors, and community activities. Running from 11 AM to 5 PM, it’s a great daytime stop for food, music, and a taste of Edmonton’s diversity!

🆓 Chinatown After Dark (Saturday, July 25) 🏮 Spend the evening exploring Edmonton’s Chinatown as the neighbourhood comes alive with a night-market atmosphere. From 6 to 11 PM, there will be lanterns, local eateries, vendors, cultural experiences, and entertainment throughout the area!

🆓 Qualico Patio Series (Wednesday, July 29) 🎸 Festival Place brings live music outdoors with Christin Hyshka and The Modern Sons alongside Diyet and The Love Soldiers. The show starts at 7 PM at Broadmoor Lake Park in Sherwood Park, making it a great midweek concert just outside the city!

Chalkag Photo Booth 📸 10524 Whyte Ave NW

Part DIY craft studio, part Korean-style photo booth, Chalkag is the kind of spot where everyone gets to be a kid again. You can make custom keychains, patch-covered totes, phone cases, and other cute little keepsakes at mirrored stations with whimsical lighting.

The real draw is the aerial photo booth setup, with red and blue telephone-box-style booths that capture overhead shots with props, poses, and plenty of personality. It’s a fun place for birthday parties, date nights, friend hangs, or anytime you want to leave with something handmade and a few very cute photos.

Stop by on Whyte Ave to make something of your own, snap a few photos, and follow along for more studio updates and inspo!

⚡️ @chalkag.photobooth
📍 10524 Whyte Ave NW
🕒 Mon–Thu 12 PM–10 PM; Fri–Sat 10 AM–2 AM; Sun 10 AM–9 PM

🎟️ Where Dark Things Dwell: When Shadows Lie (July 23–26) 🔦 Fort Edmonton Park’s immersive paranormal adventure sends you through the historic park after dark to solve puzzles, follow clues, and uncover a supernatural mystery. Multiple evening sessions run Thursday through Sunday, so grab tickets if you want a spooky night out!

🎟️ Edmonton Corn Maze Opening Weekend (Thursday, July 23) 🌽 The Edmonton Corn Maze kicks off its 2026 season just west of the city, with the main maze, farm activities, and plenty of outdoor attractions for a summer day trip. Book your tickets and get lost on purpose.

🎟️ KDays (Until Sunday, July 26) 🎡 Catch the final four days of Edmonton’s biggest summer fair, with midway rides, carnival games, food vendors, indoor attractions, and nightly entertainment at the Edmonton EXPO Centre grounds. General admission and ride packages are available; grab your tickets!

🎟️ Post Malone & Jelly Roll: The BIG ASS Stadium Tour (July 24 + 25) 🎤 Post Malone brings his massive stadium tour to Commonwealth Stadium for two nights, joined by Jelly Roll and Carter Faith. It’s easily one of Edmonton’s biggest concerts of the summer, so lock in your tickets if you want to be there!

🎟️ An Evening of Motown with The Get Downs (Through July 25) 🎙️ Spotlight Cabaret brings the sound and energy of 1960s Motown to life with a 10-piece live band. Tickets are listed around $49, with performances continuing through Saturday. Grab your seats for a throwback night downtown! They’ll go fast!

Edmonton’s first telephone network had just two phones ☎️

In 1885, Edmonton’s entire telephone system consisted of two Spanish mahogany phones and a single line stretching roughly 14 kilometres.

Local businessman Alex Taylor installed one phone in his Edmonton telegraph office and the other in Henry William McKenney’s store in St. Albert. On January 3, 1885, they successfully made what is believed to be the first telephone call in northern Alberta.

Edmonton’s network slowly grew from there. By 1892, the city had a switchboard serving 14 phones—and more than a century later, Taylor’s small operation would eventually become part of the company we now know as TELUS.