Joel Sexsmith is hard to fit into one category. A hockey player for the University of Alberta’s Golden Bears, he has one year left in his degree and plans to continue his career on the ice in Europe. He collects original copies of vintage books published by Penguin, for their striking cover designs. But perhaps the project he’s most passionate about is bringing some of the European club scene to Edmonton as a DJ.
One of Sexsmith’s fave spots in Edmonton is EROC Records in Queen Mary’s Market, which was also a favourite stop for his father, ITV/Global sports anchor and producer John Sexsmith, who passed away last year. Joel inherited his father’s love for hockey and music, along with his collection of 3,000 vinyl records. “EROC Records was the place for him and I to go,” Sexsmith says. “I was maybe 13 or 14 when I got my first record there.”
Walking around the market and seeing EROC and other local vendors instilled him with a sense of community and appreciation for things that might escape the notice of other people. “Maybe it’s not all over Instagram or Facebook — it’s very niche because it’s targeted to those who know of it. Promoting those local businesses matters to me,” he explains. “These are the places that I go back to because they remind me of home.”
If there’s anything to be gleaned from this series: we Edmontonians love food and we love being outdoors. When we’re not slurping noodles or lingering over brunch, we’re taking scenic strolls, stopping at dog parks and snapping pictures at river valley vistas. Delve into this year’s list of Edmontonians’ favourite things — with best-loved picks from a variety of noteworthy locals who span the arts, business, sports and non-profit realms — to help build your own summer bucket list. And if you can’t make it beyond your backyard, you can at least follow this foolproof formula and enjoy something tasty in the sunshine.
This article appears in the July/August 2026 issue of Edify
