Taste of Saskatchewan eyeing alternative site for 25th year

Taste of Saskatchewan will likely be celebrating its 25th year in a different location.

Organizers of the food-based festival and the City of Saskatoon are talking about moving the event from Kiwanis Park to another location in order to give the downtown green space a rest.

Scott Ford, a coordinator with Taste of Saskatchewan, said 2019 was "the wettest weather we've ever had" for the festival, which ran from July 16 to July 21.

"When it's wet like that, it is tougher on the park," he said.

Crews from the City of Saskatoon are working to assess damage as a result of the wet weather during the festival.

"Unfortunately, the rain does add to the impact in the park on turf as well as the compaction that can happen from a lot of traffic and people using the park," said Sharon Leach, the City of Saskatoon's superintendent of parks.

She said compacted soil can be "quite detrimental" to trees. City crews will be in the park this week to do some cleanup work, which includes adding a mix of compost and soil along with seeds to bare areas. Estimated costs for the cleanup were not immediately available. 

The festival is now examining alternative site possibilities, as the event requires a substantial amount of space and adequate resources.

Kiwanis Park is the best location for the event due to its proximity to Saskatoon's downtown, said Ford, noting if the event moves, it will be temporary.

The wet weather also impacted attendance at this year's Taste of Saskatchewan, which drew roughly 70,000 visitors. The event usually draws a crowd of about 100,000, including repeat visitors, according to Ford.