Page 41 - 05_June-2025

Sponsored Feature
BITE
into Local
Taste of Edmonton is growing while
staying true to their roots
ONCE A SIMPLE slogan, “support local” has become a call
for patriotism — but for Taste of Edmonton, it’s been baked
into their ethos for four decades.
“We supported local before it was cool,” says Donovan
Vienneau, Events Edmonton general manager who has led the
festival for the last six years.
Despite the challenges during his tenure, from the pandemic
to inflation to a trade war, Taste of Edmonton has remained
steadfast in its local focus. The festival has always supported local
restaurants, and is deepening its commitment to the community
by exclusively serving Alberta-made beers, partnering with local
spirits providers and working with a locally owned bar company.
Every company that works on the festival, from kid’s entertainers
to plumbers, is local. Taste of Edmonton is created not only by a
dedicated team of staff, but a network of local businesses — many
of whom have worked with the festival for years.
“Our propane guy has been with us since year two of the
festival,” Vienneau says. “It truly feels like a family. We open our
doors. We want to break bread with you. Come in.”
The Events Edmonton team is also committed to making
the festival more inclusive and accessible. Vienneau is
quick to point out that ticket prices haven’t gone up
since 2018. They’ve improved the kids’ zone to make the
festival better for families. They’ve also worked with local
disability consultant Zachary Weeks to make the festival
experience easier for people with disabilities. As Weeks
says, “Taste of Edmonton is not for everyone, but we
strive to be.”
A staple of the summer festival circuit, Taste of
Edmonton continues to grow, adding new experiences,
performers and artisan booths. At its heart, though,
the festival is always about the food, introducing
Edmontonians and visitors to the mom-and-pop
restaurants they haven’t tried before. This year’s festival
features 200 menu items and almost half of them are
brand new to the event.
Despite being Western Canada’s largest outdoor
food festival, it has remained rooted in the community,
partnering with Edmonton-based non-profits and relying
on community volunteers to make the festival happen.
“We have so many returning volunteers, year after
year. Seeing those same smiling faces warms my heart,”
Vienneau adds. •
Taste of Edmonton runs from July 17 to 27, in Churchill
Square. Go to tasteofedm.ca to start planning your
festival experience and buy tickets.