Saturday marks the second annual Salisbury at Enjoy Harvest Festival. In 2023 the outdoor festival attracted up to 500 people of all ages, and this year organizers hope to up the numbers.
“We’ve always wanted to be a destination for gardeners. But we also care about the community and want to bring people together. Ideally, we hope everyone has had a good harvest and the harvest is about gathering people together,” said Eddie Chan, marketing manager.
To celebrate the harvest season, a 15-plus vendor market, four food trucks, roving artists, a pumpkin carnival and live entertainers are part of the package. As the festival’s roving artists, magician Jay Flair, hula hooper Amanda Panda and the Balloon Fairy will set the mood. The trio will move through the crowd, meet and greet, and mix and mingle.
And for anyone with a competitive spirit, organizers have created an outdoor pumpkin carnival with a ring toss, spinning wheel and a few other activities.
But the big attraction is the return of a four-cart trackless train located at the Enjoy Centre’s south side in an overflow parking zone.
“Last year the trackless train was a constant lineup from the beginning to the end. It never slowed down throughout the day,” Chan said.
In addition, K4TGR4M, a husband-and-wife duo, will perform acoustic pop, hip-hop/rap, and Top 40 covers throughout the day. The duo has played in St. Albert and is on a rotating lineup of performers at Glasshouse Bistro.
Indoors, a walk-in pumpkin painting zone will be set up at the multi-room facility.
“But you have to purchase a pumpkin and then you can paint away. Supplies will be provided,” added Richel dela Rama, events coordinator.
A donation box for the St. Albert Food Bank will be set up at the multi-use facility and organizers hope the community steps up to share the harvest.
The free festival runs on Sunday, Sept. 22 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Salisbury at the Enjoy Centre, 101 Riel Drive.
