Some might say four weeks isn’t enough time to plan an event. In fact, many people told Monique MacDonald, coordinator of Edmonton Winter Promenade, that four weeks definitely isn’t enough time to plan an event, but she’s proving them wrong.
MacDonald is planning the first annual Edmonton Winter Promenade this weekend on the Victoria Promenade. The event will feature walking entertainment, Christmas carollers, live music and food trucks. MacDonald drew inspiration for the event from her many pre-COVID trips to Europe.
“I was in Europe traveling with my husband, and we saw how, in London or in Paris, it’s so alive along the rivers and on small side streets,” says MacDonald. “They’re just filled with vendors and buskers, and people are walking up and down, enjoying the music and eating. And I’m like, ‘We need this. Why can’t we have something like this in Edmonton?’”
Victoria Promenade has over 200 benches that allow visitors to look at the river valley. Grant Notley Park, located just off the promenade at 11603 100 Avenue, and features a large gazebo with lookout points. MacDonald had this location in mind for an event ever since she came across the promenades in Europe. At the event, people can stay and watch the entertainment or take it all in as they walk along the promenade. The event is what you make it, says MacDonald.
“It’s the holiday season and we’ve all been stuck indoors,” says MacDonald. “It’s time to celebrate life and enjoy winter and what the city of Edmonton has to offer.”
MacDonald encourages people to come dressed in their finest festive outfits and take part in the Santa walk. Bring Santa hats, reindeer antlers or whatever else you may have in your closet and gather at Grant Notley Park at 1 p.m. where the group will walk the length of the promenade in parade-like fashion.
“I’m hoping to have hundreds of people dressed up in Santa hats with bells, singing and ringing the bells as they walk down,” says MacDonald.
The Edmonton Winter Promenade is on December 19 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the Victoria Promenade. The event is free to attend.
