#308 Your Guide to the Edmonton Heritage Festival

The Edmonton Heritage Festival returns to Hawrelak Park with fresh upgrades, new groups, and the same unmatched feeling of a city coming together. We talk with Rob from the Edmonton Heritage Festival Association and Scott Murray from presenting sponsor Robertson College about access, activations, and how to plan a full day that goes beyond the food. Here's what they get into:

• What “success” looks like for a presenting partner through real community connection 
• Why returning to Hawrelak Park feels like a homecoming for Edmontonians 
• What stays the same on site and what changes with access this year 
• How ETS park and ride helps you get to the grounds 
• Robertson College’s on-site space to relax, charge your phone, and reset 
• Why the festival’s real value is learning through conversation with volunteers and performers 
• How to plan the quintessential first-time visit by spending a full day exploring pavilions 
• Why rain does not stop the festival and can even mean lighter crowds 
• Supporting the Edmonton Food Bank with cash or non-perishable donations 

Remember to check out the Heritage Festival from August 1st till 3rd at the Hawrelak Park right here in Edmonton. For more about the festival visit: www.heritagefest.ca

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Transcript

What Makes The Festival Matter

SPEAKER_02 0:06

The Heritage Festival is the largest three-day celebration of multiculturalism. We sit down with Rob, the executive director for the Edmonton Heritage Festival, and Scott Murray from the presenting sponsor, Robertson College. Let's listen to the conversation right here. To talk about this further, we have Rob from the Edmonton Heritage Festival Association and Scott from Robertson College.

SPEAKER_00 0:50

Thank you so much. Thanks for having us.

SPEAKER_02 0:51

No, thank you for being here. I know we sat down last year. It was really exciting to see everything come together afterwards. And we're gonna actually start off with talking and sort of picking up from where we left off last year.

Presenting Partner Success And Community

SPEAKER_02 1:02

I know last year we talked a lot about this key partnership between the Edmonton Heritage Festival and Roberts College being a presenting partner. I remember last year, Scott, we were talking about what that success would be like. Let's actually begin from here. How was it being a presenting partner last year? And how would you define how the success looked last year for you?

SPEAKER_03 1:20

Yeah, I think the words I probably used last year were connecting with community and the festival being a beacon in our city as it relates to celebrating diversity and inclusion. And I would say that obviously we're back and clearly we're back because I think the opportunity we had to connect with community was greater than we even expected. Um the weather didn't cooperate uh for the entire three days, but that's out of our control. But I'll be honest, the the connections we were able to make and be a part of the festival were just so uh overwhelming in a in a good way that we uh, you know, we were excited, we're excited to be back this year and looking forward to obviously the return to Horror Lak Park, which we'll talk a lot about today, but uh exceeded our expectations is probably the easiest way to explain it.

SPEAKER_02 2:03

That's amazing. I know last year the weather, we're gonna keep our fingers paused for this year, right? But that didn't stop anyone. I was there all three days. It was busy, people are out and they were having such a great time seeing the connection, the community coming out. It was a true devinton experience. This year, I know there's a lot to look forward to, Rob. Uh, a lot of activations. We have a lot of pavilions, many of them returning, some new additions as

Returning To Hawrelak Park

SPEAKER_02 2:26

well. But I think the most exciting thing is we're returning to Horlock Park this year.

SPEAKER_00 2:30

Yes, that's very exciting for us. Uh we've been in a temporary space for the last three years, uh, and we're happy to return to Horlock. It's a bit of a homecoming for us uh to celebrate our 53rd annual festival. And uh, you know, with the rehabilitations complete, um, you know, a lot of work was uh took place to upgrade the infrastructure in the park, uh, which we certainly take advantage of. It really helps with our operations uh and being efficient uh and stable through the weekend. Um, but just the space itself, uh, you know, nothing beats our festival in Horlock Park. The green space, it's very welcoming. Uh it brings everybody together. It's just it's one big festival, and we're excited to be back there.

SPEAKER_02 3:11

No, absolutely. I think for me and a lot of people that are tuned in, like it's gonna be so nostalgic returning to a park. We all grew up going there, parents would be excited, especially a lot of us from different backgrounds where it was a big thing because that was one of the only festivals where parents felt that connection to their heritage. So they would look forward to it. Going to the park is me really exciting this year. With these new upgrades, is there anything anyone can expect, like any changes? Are we looking at something very similar to what we're used to for that heritage day experience?

SPEAKER_00 3:39

I think there's definitely going to be some similarities. Uh, you know, certainly uh the changes uh that have taken place in the park, we've had to adapt to in terms of, you know, how we activate our festival. Uh, but it would be very similar from an experience perspective. Uh, you know, the pavilions will be set up around the perimeter of the green space. Um, and you know, there's a lot of uh space in the middle for people to relax, uh, you know, have a picnic. A lot of our um sponsors will be activated in the space as well uh for people to visit and engage with. Um but yeah, it'll be very similar.

Getting There With Park And Ride

SPEAKER_00 4:14

Uh, you know, the one main thing obviously is accessing the park. Uh, you know, the last few years we've we've had the opportunity for people to drive down to the festival, not so much this year. You know, uh ETS has um, you know, created a really phenomenal park and ride system for people to access the park. Uh so they'll be set up uh in a variety of locations throughout the city. So if you're hoping to come down to the festival, then I certainly encourage you to look into the park and ride system. We'll be sharing information in the coming days on on where the routes are available to to hop on. Um but we also encourage people to walk down and bike down at summertime. So you wanna you wanna experience the outdoors as much as possible. But yeah.

SPEAKER_02 4:54

Yeah, absolutely. I think another thing is like I think a lot of people don't realize how close and accessible it is from the University of Alberta. Like even taking the LRT to Health Sciences University, take a nice stroll. It's it's a very um accessible space from there, right? So that's another thing. I remember going up the Heritage or the Southgate stops, you would get on the bus, go to Heritage. Yeah, that's right, that's right. Yeah, so we will be sharing all those details once they're available for our listeners of where you can hark and ride as well.

Robertson College’s Relax And Recharge Zone

SPEAKER_02 5:20

Speaking of activations, Rob, I know last year, right when you enter the park, there was a massive like interaction with Robison College. You could talk to the representatives and they were doing a really good job of explaining what Robertson offers, what courses they offer, and they had some really cool giveaways.

SPEAKER_01 5:34

What can we expect today for or this year for anyone who wants to come and learn more about Robinson College while they're experiencing the best of all?

SPEAKER_03 5:40

Yeah, no, similar but different, I think is maybe a way to explain it. We'll be there, or staff will be there and uh able to interact with the the attendees for the event, and we're excited about that again this year. You know, I think we had a great activation last year, uh, a book. If you were there and you probably saw it, it's it's still uh in our lobby of our uh Edmonton campus and something we won't let go at any point. But this year, um, a little bit of a different focus. Um, the the Heritage Festival, albeit great, can sometimes become hectric and tiring. So we're gonna focus on an opportunity for people to throw their feet up and relax, uh, a bit of a comfort zone, if you will. And uh if you're looking for an hour or 15 minutes to kick back and relax on a hot day uh after you've had too many green onion cakes, and believe me, I was there. Um come look for us because we we'll have a comfortable area. We can sit down, charge your phone, we'll have some games you can play and interact with our people and or just enjoy time with your friends and family. It came to some bit of a different approach. Last year worked well for us, but this year we probably took a not probably, we're taking a bit of a different approach. And uh I know uh it's a lot of time in the heat and the summer and and food and entertainment to take in. So come find us and throw your feet up for a bit and relax.

SPEAKER_02 6:50

That's exciting. It's like not time at Robert Pot.

SPEAKER_03 6:54

You might have to fight me for a chair.

SPEAKER_02 6:56

That's totally fair. Nah, I mean, no, I want to just cause this problem. Not probably, it is absolutely the most diverse experience in Epington, right? You come there, you get to experience so many different cultures, you're seeing sort of the culture display, you're able to try to food the green onion cakes, the mangolasy. There's so much experience. But more than that, I think my favorite thing is actually talking to a lot of people there. Even if it's the volunteers of the pavilions asking questions, it's such a welcome space where you can openly ask questions and learn more about these different cultures. Now, that being said, I know Robertson College is also very much focusing on their diversity and how they're able to have a more inclusive space. So, how does this partnership work for both of you hand in hand,

Values Alignment And Why Diversity Wins

SPEAKER_02 7:36

like the Robertson College and Edmonton Heritage Festival experience? How do you guys see the diversity sort of linking together in this partnership?

unknown 7:44

Rob.

SPEAKER_00 7:45

Yeah, I can certainly start. You know, uh I think it's um exciting for us. It's important for us uh to partner with organizations whose values align with us, and Robertson College's values certainly align with us. Um, you know, it's it's uh, you know, one of our um what we strive for is to encourage and to include uh every community that makes up Edmonton. That's what our festival is all about. Uh certainly, you know, space can um, you know, limit that at times. Um, but as our as our city's growing, and you know, as new groups are choosing our city as a place to to lay down roots and to settle, um, you know, we want to be able to give uh these new cultural groups an opportunity to to spotlight themselves and to share and engage with our community and teach um everyone about um you know what their culture is all about uh and the history. Um, you know, that's the really exciting part. Um and it's um, you know, it's it's really great to have organizations as Robert is in college that support us. Uh, you know, it's it's um a costly festival to put on. And, you know, to have these organizations step up and um, you know, speak to the importance of our festival and commit to our festival. That says a lot. Um, that they're committed to our community, that they're engaged with our community, uh, and they want to see these experiences continue on and be sustainable.

SPEAKER_01 9:14

Absolutely. And how about for you, stop from like a Robertson College lens? Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 9:19

Sorry, yeah, Rob did a great job outlining. I think starting point, our values align with with the Heritage Festival and their organization as a whole, and and obviously our community in a greater perspective. You know, for me last year being there on site, um, the conversations you have with different people who've grown up here or come to our country and been here for less than a year, um, just great conversations, understanding, you know, the experience they're taking in throughout the day or the weekend and and you know what what our community means to them is important. Um, the alignment, I get back to the alignment of our values. I think it it's a it's a great opportunity. We talked before we went on air about the amount of stuff we try to jam into our summers in Edmonton because we they're short. Um, but to me, the heritage festival is a staple in in our community and and becoming most of the growth of our community is coming through people who born weren't born and raised here. And uh the Heritage Festival, to my knowledge, is the greatest example of celebrating the diversity within our community. And for us, it was a no-brainer to get involved, um, and became less of a decision in year two to come back again and be involved again, and and it makes total sense for us to align with the festival and it's exciting. Um, the I talked a little bit about the food, but to me, the entertainment uh of equal, if not greater value. I'm a bit more of a food person, but uh but uh the entertainment uh overwhelmingly uh successful and uh and enjoyable uh throughout the weekend. And you know, I think those two pieces for for the festival, those are the that's what brings you there, but what keeps you there is the interaction with the people.

SPEAKER_02 10:55

Yeah, Joel, last year when I was we were doing a lot of content with attendees last year. Um, and there was one person where every day we did it, they were there every single day. And I asked them, like, are you like one of the performers? And they were just an attendee. They're like, it was our first time here. We came the first day, and we've been returning every single day. And I'm like, Oh amazing is that. And I remember one of the questions we were asking is like, what is that one thing everyone took away from the festival? And it was really great seeing the diversity of answers, actually, whether it was learning something new or just the fact that people were connecting with others. There were a few people that were giving us new words they learned in different languages, and I'm like, this is such a beautiful experience. And Edmonton is such a great community. We always see Edmonton come together. Heritage Festival, I think, is one of the prime examples of what it means to come together as a community. Every year, I know many people that after the July Festival of Raj, it's like, hey, Heritage Day is coming. We're excited. I always call it like Taste of Edmonton 2.0. Yeah. So it's like if you miss out on some of the food, don't worry. I'll be back at heritage based, right? That's always great to like come back to that. This year, as we said, we're going back to, I'm gonna call it the OG Park, where a lot of us went there growing up and we loved it. We're excited to see it go back to the park. And even beyond that, I think the city has done such a great job of revitalizing that space. So I invite everyone to come out, check out the space. I call it the Lands of Edmonton. It's the biggest green space, it's a beautiful place to even spend a happier day. Heritage Days makes it even more exciting.

Planning Your Ideal Festival Day

SPEAKER_02 12:25

Certainly. Um said, Rob, if we sort of talk about like what in your example or what in your mind, or for your personal experience, what is the ideal day at heritage festivals?

SPEAKER_01 12:35

If someone's coming for the first time, and if you're like, okay, these are the things you must do to get that true quintessential experience, what would those be?

SPEAKER_00 12:42

True quintessential. That's a really great question. And I'm not gonna target any specific pavilion because I think the quintessential experience would be to experience all pavilions on our site, to plan to spend a full day. You know, there's so much to experience. There's uh, you know, as as Scott alluded to, uh, there's more than just the food. There's the entertainment, there's the colors, there's the music, there's the textures, uh, there's the opportunity to learn um and and really have some positive takeaways from uh things that you may not have experienced in the past. Um so yes, uh the quintessential experience is to plan a full day and uh plan to visit as many pavilions as possible because that's what the festival is all about. It's not about uh, you know, finding your favorite food and targeting it and leaving. It's about trying something new, experiencing something new, uh, watching something new, talking to new people, engaging with your community. Um, and that's the exciting part about our festival.

SPEAKER_02 13:39

Yeah, and I know last year social media was a really big success for that Heritage Festival. So I invite everyone to follow them because I remember leading up to the festival, there's a lot of information of what you can do at the festival, what the new activations look like. So it's always a great way to stay connected and also learn more about what you can do while you're on the grounds.

SPEAKER_00 13:57

Yeah, certainly. And specifically with our return to Horlac Park, uh, you know, just learning um and understanding how to access the park and how to get down to the park. And and certainly we'll be sharing information with respect to that. Uh so tune into our social media, tune into our website just to learn about the information, things that you need to bring down to the park for the festival, uh, what to anticipate, you know, you can check out the menu, the site, plan out your day. Um, yeah, well,

Rain Plans And Why It Still Works

SPEAKER_00 14:24

we we're just excited to welcome everybody back.

SPEAKER_02 14:26

Awesome. The one question wish which I wish I didn't have to ask, but given what is here is going. If there is rainfall weekend, how does that look for that festival and the attendees?

SPEAKER_00 14:38

Bring a raincoat, experience the festival in the rain. Honestly, that's uh, you know, summer in Edmonton, it's so unpredictable. We always cross our fingers for three sunny days, uh, but that's not always the case. Um, and as you mentioned earlier, you know, rain or shine, people come to our festival. It's all about the festival experience. And certainly, uh, you know, when it's raining, it's almost the best time to come because the crowds are a little bit thinner. Um, but the entertainment, the food, the festival still goes on, rain or shine.

SPEAKER_02 15:04

Yeah, I mean, we had what 56,000 people come out to that Commonwealth People friendly match. It was porn.

SPEAKER_00 15:11

It was and it was cold.

SPEAKER_02 15:12

It was good, it was cold, it was good. We've made it, so there's no reason why Edmontonians can't

Food Bank Support Plus Dates And Details

SPEAKER_02 15:17

make it out. Absolutely. Yeah, it's cause since we last sat down, that was a year ago. Anything that you want to share about Robertson College, anything that anyone who's there last year maybe where they got to learn about the college that you might want to add further so that they can come, they can ask questions while they see all of you out at the festival this year.

SPEAKER_03 15:33

Yeah, no, for sure. Like I said earlier, we'll be just inside the main gate. Uh, we'll have all of our staff there, a good assortment of our staff there on a daily basis. If you want to stop in and relax for a bit, play some games with your family or friends you came with, feel free to do that. But connect and learn a little bit more about Robertson College. And, you know, I think for us, you know, I I should have said this earlier in the question you asked previously, but the way we consume our news, there's a lot of negative going on out there in the world right now. And to me, walking into the festival last year, um, after a long time away from it as a from a partnership perspective, you you begin to realize that it's a celebration of all the good within our community. And and you know, I've gotten to a point, I think we all probably have, where I can't consume any more news uh on a weekly basis or a daily basis, depending on what's going on. And for me and Robertson College, being there and being a part of everything that's great in our community is to me the true win of celebrating coming out on one or all three of the days and getting an opportunity to connect with uh people within our community and and have a great day and enjoy some food and entertainment along the way. And not to forget the food bank and supporting the food bank, a very important cause that Rob and his team have been involved with for a number of years. And unfortunately, it's probably never been more required based on the cost of living. Um, the food bank's never been more required than it has been right now. But to show up and not be your only admission, it's uh, you know, it's a can't miss day of fun for sure.

SPEAKER_02 16:52

Yeah, it's really important that we also while with our supporting the communities the Edmonton Food Bank, which has been part of it, someone we work very closely with as well. Um bring your non-perishable, bring your donations, and I think that's a great way that also we give back to the community. And like you said, with so much going on in the world, that's like that one space where once you're there, you sort of just forget about it and you're everyone's just in harmony. It's a beautiful experience. So I will say a lot of people that may have not experienced it or haven't been in a few years, uh, get your way out there. It's actually truly so nice being there in that space. Yeah, absolutely. I appreciate both of you coming. Anything else you want to share? Anything I know we will be pushing on socials, how to get there, the accessibility, anything else leading up to the festival that you like Edmontonians to know.

SPEAKER_00 17:39

Yeah, just uh our festival is uh August long weekend, August 1st to 3rd. Uh, we're a free festival to attend. Uh we certainly, as Scott alluded, uh we encourage everyone to bring a donation to the food bank. They're going to be on site uh collecting um cash donations as well as unperishables. Uh we have uh 64 uh not-for-profit cultural organizations participating as pavilions in our festival this year, as well as a newcomer's pavilion. So a couple new groups to our festival. Uh, and that's you know the most exciting thing. So we have uh just opportunities to learn new things, to engage with the old favorites, um, but just uh to come together and celebrate our shared humanity in a in a safe and welcoming space.

SPEAKER_02 18:22

Excellent. Thank you. And anything else you'd like to add into that scarlet?

SPEAKER_03 18:25

No, just look forward to seeing everyone on the August long weekend. I mean, I think what I learned last year in our first year of this partnership is the amount of people it takes to pull this together. Um, there's numerous board members, volunteers, people from the pavilions that that take time away from their families, their jobs to come and do this for a weekend. And it takes a takes a village in every respect to get the festival off the ground and operating. And I'm sure the transition to back to Horlock Park is not easy, but yeah, it's a great opportunity for us to go down and celebrate the park and celebrate as Rob said our community as a whole.

SPEAKER_02 18:57

Absolutely. We're looking forward to it August 1st to 3rd right here in Edmonton. We'll see everyone there, and thank you. It was a pleasure sitting down with the both of you again. Thank you.

Final Invite And Where To Follow

SPEAKER_02 19:13

Thank you everyone for tuning in. I hope you enjoyed that conversation. And remember to check out the Heritage Festival from August 1st till 3rd at the Hower Luck Park right here in Edmonton. Stay tuned with us and stay connected across socials at the Universal Radio.