It’s that time of the year, Edmonton! Downtown Spark is back bringing large-scale inflatable art to the city and here’s where you can find them.
The Edmonton Downtown Business Association is hosting Downtown Spark starting on May 23rd to June 2nd, 2024.
This year’s festival showcases large-scale inflatable sculptures from Australia, Tasmania and the U.K., alongside new works by Edmonton-based artist Cheyenne Rain LeGrande, according to organizers.
Additionally, there will be daily events including video dance parties, dog-friendly beer gardens, a day of Indigenous arts and cultural programming.
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“We’re excited to kick off this year’s Downtown Spark which once again is showcasing some of the world’s best art-chitecture, alongside local artists, to inject our downtown with whimsical fun that everyone and anyone can come and enjoy,” said Puneeta McBryan, CEO of the Edmonton Downtown Business Association.
“Most people are now familiar with the larger than life inflatable art that we feature every year at Downtown Spark, but I also really encourage everyone to check out the live music, cultural programming, and other attractions that we have popping up over the 10-day festival.”
Here’s where to see the art this year:
First up, Churchill Square where the largest installation, Lost Dogs Disco, by Sydney-based design studio ENESS, “celebrates the place of dogs in our lives.” This immersive display features 12 dogs of various shapes and sizes, brought to life by interactive lights and soundscape of music. This is Lost Dogs Disco’s debut in North America!
At ATB Place overlooking MacDonald Drive, you will find Lost, a set of three new floral sculptures by Amanda Parer will be installed celebrating nature.
And at Alex Decoteau Park, Edmonton-based Indigenous artist Cheyenne Rain Le Grande introduces mîkisak ᒦᑭᐢ, a larger-than-life beaded earring. According to the Edmonton Downtown Business Association, Cheyenne’s “earring is in celebration of Nehiyaw (Cree) fashion and its love for beads.”
There are also new inflatable monsters from Designs in Air from London, UK, will also be popping up at Campio Brewing Co. and Enbridge Place.
“Churchill Square, Alex Decoteau Park, Campio Brewing Co., Enbridge Centre and ATB Place are the five downtown sites hosting art installations, along with free weekday and weekend programming,” states the Business Association. “Visitors are encouraged to walk, bike or scoot from site to site to enjoy all of this year’s art and daily events.”
Next weekend, on Saturday, June 1st, the annual Downtown Spark Block Party will wrap up the 10-day festival.
The Downtown Spark Block Party also kicks off the official start of Edmonton’s first entertainment district.
“From June 1 to August 24, 2024, patrons can consume alcohol purchased from Rice Howard Way businesses freely on the street, within a permitted pedestrian-friendly outdoor area on Saturdays from 11am to 10pm. Starting on June 1, and then every Saturday this summer, you can find live music, games, street performers, and other activities filling the street to delight visitors of all ages,” they state.
Other events this year include: 80s and 90s Video Dance Parties, Bark & Brew, Splash Day, and O-day’min Day.
You can check out all the details to each here.
