Edmonton Entertainment, Festivals, Nightlife, etc - Page 19

Coldrsx · #**361** Posted **Nov 16, 2022, 5:33 PM**

No tree for Churchill.
https://globalnews.ca/news/9282496/d...hristmas-tree/

----

While I can appreciate the intent to drive more folks to RHW, these could have complimented Churchill components, expanded the event, provided more reasons to come Downtown and enjoy the kickoff to the season, I find this exceptionally disappointing and rather upsetting.

Having been intimately involved in the organizing of this event for more than a few years, the donors, volunteers and participants were very passionate about this particular annual tradition and absorbed a lot of the costs because of the joy it brought to them, their organizations and the city as a whole.

I'm happy to see more attention being directed towards RHW and its businesses, but the loss of this is significant and disappointing.

*Sigh*

ExcaliburKid · #**362** Posted **Nov 16, 2022, 5:59 PM**

So no Christmas tree, but it's ok because now we get a bison on roller skates

This city is starting to suck the big one

ExcaliburKid · #**363** Posted **Nov 16, 2022, 6:05 PM**

Something unique for fans of snowboarding https://www.shredthenorth.ca/en/even...onton-big-air/

https://youtu.be/JS3xjRXZFqM

Kids under 10 are FREE

I'll be checking it out!

Harrison · #**364** Posted **Nov 16, 2022, 6:11 PM**

No Christmas tree sucks - I wonder if there was enough money to have both a tree in Churchill Square as well as the events on RHW. Ice District should step up and set one up in the Plaza.

Rocket252 · #**365** Posted **Nov 16, 2022, 6:16 PM**

^ I would close RHW to traffic and put the tree right in the middle of the T intersection.

If they want business involvement.

The bison is ridiculous and can be a side attraction - not the main attraction as its pointed out to be.

Coldrsx · #**366** Posted **Nov 16, 2022, 6:30 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harrison

No Christmas tree sucks - I wonder if there was enough money to have both a tree in Churchill Square as well as the events on RHW. Ice District should step up and set one up in the Plaza.

There were plans heading that way just before COVID hit...

New traditions are great, but I'd liked to have seen the tree in the square kept for so, so, so many reasons.

We are quick to forget that it used to bring ~7000 people to the area at its peak and many of those were families.

I wonder if additional programming at the Leg's tree could be done?

I suspect ICE District will pick up on this and make that area more of a destination for the holiday season (as originally planned).

Curious how NYE will be split between Churchill and ICE.

Are the 'Winter Lights' up around the Downtown? You know, those white and blue lights on all of the poles yet? They usually go up late Oct and come down early March.

Coldrsx · #**367** Posted **Nov 16, 2022, 6:54 PM**

For purposes of clarity:

-Millar Western proudly donated the tree (for decades)
-EPCOR provided considerable donations in-kind - staff, time, equipment
-The City of Edmonton provided support from infrastructure to promotion to staff ensuring everything happened smoothly
-EPS provided assistance getting the oversized truck into the core from the NW

It was a beautification piece, a celebration piece, a seasonal attraction to encourage more people to come Downtown for weeks with the hopes that they would shop, eat, drink and be merry.

Coldrsx · #**368** Posted **Nov 17, 2022, 2:58 AM**

Mayor Sohi with the reply
Even with it, I still le sigh

https://twitter.com/AmarjeetSohiYEG/...35498863620096

Coldrsx · #**369** Posted **Nov 17, 2022, 3:21 AM**

Light Up was different in 1986
While this year’s iteration doesn’t include a tree, it wasn’t always part of the festival.

Light Up has been running in Edmonton since 1986 and involved a big tree in Churchill Square since at least 1999. Postmedia archives show the early festival centered around turning on the Christmas lights Downtown — usually by Santa Clause, and later on the mayor — followed by fireworks.

In 1993, a “fire-eating” dragon named “Desmond” did the honour and the fireworks were set to Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture. About 12,000 people attended the event in 1989 which was initially dubbed “Christmas Lights Downtown.”

The EDBA also held an indoor Santa Claus parade through Downtown malls and the pedway system in the mid to late 1990s.

lboothby@postmedia.com

https://edmontonsun.com/news/local-n...box=1668643895

Coldrsx · #**370** Posted **Nov 25, 2022, 2:52 PM**

As former chair of the Downtown Business Association and architect for the Winston Churchill Square redevelopment, our centennial project in 2004, I am disappointed with the decision to delete the Christmas Tree from our square.

Having worked with 65 community stakeholders, the functional program for the square was a highly inclusive process, culminating in the formal dedication by Churchill’s daughter.

The key urban design drivers for the square were the governmental and arts facilities surrounding it: The square had to host numerous assembly functions and festivals throughout the year, to celebrate the erection of the Christmas tree to oversee the Christmas and New Year events and most importantly, to accommodate the ceremonies to recognize Remembrance Day. The square was a recipient of an Edmonton Urban Design Award of Excellence in 2005.

Whereas I am most enthused by the pedestrian events being planned for Rice Howard Way this holiday season, there will be a significant gap created by the elimination of the Christmas tree from our city square. History should be respected and embraced in our urban context, not ignored. I look forward to seeing the tree in its rightful location next year.

Craig JB Henderson, Edmonton

ExcaliburKid · #**371** Posted **Nov 28, 2022, 7:14 PM**

Big Metallica concert announcement, being this is one of only 2 stops in Canada on their world tour

https://www.metallica.com/tour/2024-...on-canada.html

Rocket252 · #**372** Posted **Nov 28, 2022, 7:26 PM**

Edmonton, Alberta United States on the web link announcement

We are part of the union

Harrison · #**373** Posted **Nov 28, 2022, 10:55 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ExcaliburKid

Big Metallica concert announcement, being this is one of only 2 stops in Canada on their world tour

https://www.metallica.com/tour/2024-...on-canada.html

Oh yeah, pretty cool, with Montreal the only other date. Likely because Commonewealth and the Olympic Stadium are the two largest by capacity in the country (maybe BC Place was busy at this time as well, since it's not much smaller than Commonwealth).

ExcaliburKid · #**374** Posted **Nov 28, 2022, 11:19 PM**

Most likely true regarding the capacity. I have no doubt this will sell out, very much looking forward to it!

EdmTrekker · #**375** Posted **Nov 28, 2022, 11:26 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coldrsx

As former chair of the Downtown Business Association and architect for the Winston Churchill Square redevelopment, our centennial project in 2004, I am disappointed with the decision to delete the Christmas Tree from our square.

Having worked with 65 community stakeholders, the functional program for the square was a highly inclusive process, culminating in the formal dedication by Churchill’s daughter.

The key urban design drivers for the square were the governmental and arts facilities surrounding it: The square had to host numerous assembly functions and festivals throughout the year, to celebrate the erection of the Christmas tree to oversee the Christmas and New Year events and most importantly, to accommodate the ceremonies to recognize Remembrance Day. The square was a recipient of an Edmonton Urban Design Award of Excellence in 2005.

Whereas I am most enthused by the pedestrian events being planned for Rice Howard Way this holiday season, there will be a significant gap created by the elimination of the Christmas tree from our city square. History should be respected and embraced in our urban context, not ignored. I look forward to seeing the tree in its rightful location next year.

Craig JB Henderson, Edmonton

Apparently you do not understand the importance of using "quotes".

EdmTrekker · #**376** Posted **Nov 28, 2022, 11:31 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocket252

Edmonton, Alberta United States on the web link announcement

We are part of the union

Better than being a part of the UCP banana republic.

Black Star · #**377** Posted **Dec 1, 2022, 8:07 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by EdmTrekker

Better than being a part of the UCP banana republic.

You might want to relocate to another Province. You seem to be a welfare socialist. And not want to be a Capitalist that wants free speech?!

feepa · #**378** Posted **Dec 2, 2022, 3:25 AM**

^ says the guy whos whole identity revolves around #$%#$ Trudeau

Rocket252 · #**379** Posted **Dec 2, 2022, 5:17 PM**

New fan park by Rogers place. - I would prefer a tower in that space - any timelines on when or if this will happen?

https://icedistrict.com/news/new-fan...n-ice-district

Coldrsx · #**380** Posted **Dec 2, 2022, 5:20 PM**

That's kinda cool.

I'd say 5 years.