On the August long weekend Mike and I like to take in one of our hometown’s largest festivals- the Edmonton Heritage Festival at Hawrelak Park.

The Edmonton Heritage Festival is a fun way to celebrate and learn about the different cultures that contribute to Canada’s identity as a multicultural nation. You may not know this, but Canada was the first country in the world to adopt multiculturalism as an official policy in 1971. Here in Canada, all citizens can keep their identities and are encouraged to take pride in their ancestry.

At the Heritage Festival you really feel just how proud people are of their cultures. You also sense how accepting people are and how genuinely interested they are in learning about cultures different from their own. Whether it’s trying a new food, watching a cultural dance, reading about a culture’s history or browsing crafts, clothing and artwork, visitors are able to do it all at the Heritage Festival.

This year there were 60 pavilions representing over 85 cultures.  Here are a some photos from our day at the festival plus some tips for planning your visit.

The Pavilions

At each culture’s pavilion you can shop for traditional crafts, artwork, even clothing. There are also informative displays that will teach you about the history and geography of that country.

Food and Drink

I honestly didn’t take too many pictures of the food because it all looked so good that we started eating before I realized I should take a picture for the blog. My personal favourite was the chocolate sauce crepe from the France pavilion. Sooo delicious!

Food tickets can be bought in advance at certain locations around the city or on site at the festival. Even though there are plenty of locations to buy food tickets at the festival, the lines are still really long, so buying in advance is a good idea.

The Performances

Throughout the park there are small stages set up by certain pavilions where you can see performances of music, dance and even theatre.

My favourite part of the festival is always the performances, especially the music. This year, the highlight for me was a Mariachi band that came all the way from Mexico. I wish I had got their name, because they put on a great show!

More Alberta Destinations and Travel Guides

• Autumn in Edmonton’s River Valley
• Dinosaur Provincial Park- One of Canada’s Most Unique Landscapes
• Things to Do in Jasper National Park- 17 Experiences for Your Jasper Bucket List
• Grassi Lakes Hike and Scenic Walks in Canmore