K-Days is all about making the most of life and it’s happy to oblige with a massive outdoor party.
Friday morning at 10 a.m., the summer fair rolls out its vibrant kick-off parade in downtown Edmonton before the full-throttle action continues at Northlands.
This 10-day extravaganza brings together several hundred thousand visitors enjoying cool concerts, hot fireworks, mind-blowing rides, cultural exhibits and tantalizing foods.
After a dramatic name change to Capital Ex, the fair returns to its roots with the K-Days (Klondike Days) moniker. Although the summer fair still retains elements of the Klondike, it has a fresh vibe that organizers hope will spark ongoing interest with the young urban demographic says Northlands public relations manager Jennifer Sheehan.
“We’re very excited about it and we’re trying to get people to come in and experience it again,” says Sheehan. “I think people will be pleasantly surprised. There are lots of new attractions.”
For music lovers, she cites the Koodonation Stage where some of North America’s premiere touring musical and variety acts strut their stuff.
During the day, the stage is booked with hypnotists, mentalists and tribute acts. At night, the big guns – Carly Rae Jepson, Dallas Smith, Down With Webster, Dragonett, Colin James and Platinum Blonde – step out to pitch their pipes.
The smaller Telus Stage puts a spotlight on the community’s warhorses – talent that includes Rapid Fire Theatre, 3rd Street Beat, Edmonton Opera, Tasty Squid Percussion Group and Kikino Northern Lites Traditional MĂ©tis Dancing.
This coming Monday to Thursday, the Telus Stage also morphs into command centre for the revamped 2013 K-Days Talent Search. The competition aims to showcase both hidden and the cultivated artists bursting with talent and airs this Monday to Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m.
“We’ve extended it to different ages and different types of performances. We wanted to open it up to as many people as possible,” Sheehan mentions.
St. Albert’s own Jessy Mossop and Stephen Lecky, the 2012 Northern Star grand prizewinners, revisit their old stomping grounds as this year’s Talent Search hosts.
As a local top gun, Mossop says, “It was an awesome experience. It provided lots of great opportunities for us throughout the year. It was never ending. And it’s really cool going places and people recognizing the work we did at Northlands. I just wish everybody could go through what we did.”
Mossop and Lecky will also perform a half-hour set on the Telus Stage July 21 at 1 p.m. and July 25 at 6 p.m.
Anyone in the mood for exercise and a thirst quencher can drop by the Boardwalk Beach and Beer Gardens. A sand court has been erected so beach volleyball players can enjoy a quick fun game between friends or a good old-fashioned grudge match before hoisting a few at the gardens.
And the midway is generating excitement with its new Mach 3, a 37-metre arm connected at the centre to a support. Two sets of seats are mounted at each end and they swing a full 360 degrees. According to K-Days’ website, the arm rotates up to 13 revolutions minute producing an acceleration of 3.5 g.
Visitors looking for a slower pace are encouraged to visit the Expo Centre hosting several exhibits including the Sports Expo with interactive games and a fun zone.
“We also have a greeting card that we will send to our athletes going to the Winter Olympics. We’re asking everyone to sign it and for each signature we are donating to kids sports,” Sheehan says.
A grand shopping experience has also been planned for the Expo Centre. It is designed as a Grand Emporium surrounded by trade show vendors.
“We’ve taken our cues from a bazaar in Turkey where everything is unique.”
For the hungry, The Grand’s food court brings the world to our doorstep with ethnic flavours from Ukraine, India and China to Philippines, Italy and Canada.
In addition, A Taste of Canada presents a menu that sweeps the country from Nova Scotia lobster to prairie bison and West Coast salmon.
A complete itinerary of all events, activities and exhibits is on www.k-days.com.
