Yesterday, I wrote about my trip to Edmonton, Alberta for BC Day (here in BC) or Heritage Day (in Alberta) long weekend. For today’s post, one of the showcase events during that weekend: Heritage Festival. Don’t we have festivals here in Vancouver, like Caribbean Days, Greek Day or Summerfest, Powell Street Festival? Yup, we do. However, how about a festival that takes a full park and tents of over 60 countries participate? As I have been saying about Edmonton ever since I came back: Sure, Vancouver has a lot of great “features”; however, we take them for granted. On the other hand, Edmonton does not have similar features but they make the most out of what they have. So, for a long weekend in summer, that’s what they have been doing for the last 35 years… So, my visit to this event in Edmonton, Alberta… Enjoy this photo essay!
Yup, blue sky the whole time!
Considering the festival starts at 10:00 a.m., Trinh and I arrived relatively early (by 11:00 a.m.). Even then, a lot of tents weren’t ready yet, not to mention a lot of people had arrived yet. However, that quickly changed…
We were walking around for a while and, eventually, different perfomers started appearing in the different areas around the William Hawrelak Park (where the festival takes place). Latin American? You got it. South Eastern Asia? Yup, that as well. European? Yup. Again, given there were 60+ countries, most general areas were covered!
OK, OK, food time! 
And here is what we ended up getting:
Satay, from the Malay/Singaporean stand. We got it because it was suggested by “L”.
Maple Sno Cone from the Canadian stand.
BBQ Sardines from Portugal
Kvass from Russia.
Anticuchos (beef heart) from Peru.
Yuca (cassava) from El Salvador (though, other stands, particularly Latin American and African) had cassava as well).
Waffles from the Dutch stand.
Bannock from the Aboriginal stand.
Mango’s Loco Mango on a stick rolled in lime juice and spices
Prior to Trinh leaving early (she had a prior commitment, I stayed in the park, enjoying the day), we walked past the Peruvian stand and notice a dish they had for sale and which she commented it looks “dirty and phallic”. Let’s just say I spent some time trying to take a picture of that dish. So, after she left, I trield several times that dish and eventually gave up…. Nope, that’s not the end of the story… As a result of my fail, I said to myself “hey, I still have some tickets!”. So, I just got it. What is that dish? Just keep on reading/scroll down!
Yup, I will have to agree, it does look phallic! As for how it, well, taste, it caught me somewhat off guard.
The banana was frozen prior to dipping it into some melted chocolate. Because I didn’t know about that part, when I bit into it, the fact it was frozen caught me completely off guard. It was almost like a popsicle with a chocolate coating. Alas, as interesting as it sounds, the fact the banana was frozen didn’t work for me. However, people seemed to really like it (there was always a line).
So, there you go. Given our claims of multi-culturality here in Vancouver, how come we haven’t organized an event like this? Until you find an answer to that question, I hope you enjoyed this photo essay!
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh man.. this festival is one of the things I miss most about Edmonton. I mean, a park full of 60 different types of food. Heck ya! Love it.
Wow, looks like a lot of fun. I love the ethnic dancing. And your pictures are awesome, Kim.
Loxy, as I mentioned, there is nothing in Vancouver that can compare to this!
Darina, yup, lots of fun. The key is to make sure to go in a group to be able to sample as many things as possible!
great pictures, kim! i would definitely go for the mango on a stick… that’s unique. looks tasty. i used to make chocolate frozen bananas when i worked at rocky mountain chocolate factory. personally i LOVE frozen banana but i can see how it’s not for everyone. you kind of have to lick it like a popsicle… taking a big bite doesn’t work so well.
Trisha, ssssshhhh! This is a PG post!
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