Much-loved Edmonton Heritage Festival celebrates 50 years in new, less-loved, location

Edmonton's heritage festival is getting the usual rave reviews, but not for its new location.

One of the world's largest celebrations of multiculturalism wrapped up Sunday marking a 50-year tradition with the vibrant performances and mouth-watering delights it's known for.

But because of renovations at Hawrelak Park, the festival was forced to relocate its 65 tents to Edmonton Expo Centre, Exhibition Lands and Borden Park.

Edmonton Transit Service provided park-and-ride bus service at regular fares. The festival site was also accessible via LRT and regular bus routes.

Natasha Dorman-Watson missed the park setting of her favourite summer festival. "Maybe it's just what I've grown up with," she said.

Mary Monteclaro enjoyed the Thai and Filipino performances, but would have preferred to do so amid the shady trees and cool breeze at Hawrelak.

"Here it is quite open, so it gets really hot," Monteclaro told Edmonton AM, adding that she did find the commute more convenient "because there's tons of parking."

That was not the experience, however, of Gloria James, who lives across the street. She said vehicles packed the streets for a few blocks in every direction.

"There was no parking whatsoever," James told CBC News. "They had signs up saying 'absolutely no parking, tag and tow, residents only' so if they could follow through with that next year that'd be wonderful."

Rob Rohatyn, the festival's new executive director, said it was good to see so many people use the LRT, which is not possible at the Hawrelak site.

He said while he's pleased with the transition to the new site, there is room for improvement.

"We want to be a good neighbour to the Bellevue neighbourhood," Rohatyn said. "We want to learn from these experiences and do better next year."

The City of Edmonton said vehicles were not towed as it was the first year in the new location but 204 tickets were issued over the three days.

"Parking enforcement had four dedicated officers in the area, and dispatch was actively monitoring 311 inquiries this weekend to respond to citizen concerns, and to dispatch officers accordingly," spokesperson Karen McDonnell wrote in an email.

Edmonton's Food Bank said donations appear to have fallen short despite donations of more than 5,000 kilograms of non-perishable food. Monetary donations are still being tallied.

Non-perishable foods are being accepted at fire stations and major grocery stores and money can be donated via text or online.

The festival will be at Exhibition Lands for the next two years while the city rehabilitates Hawrelak Park.