EDMONTON - About 25,000 people are expected to ring in the new year Monday night at Churchill Square.
The event usually draws 15,000 to 20,000 people, but with mild temperatures predicted, Paul Lucas, general manager at Events Edmonton, expects that number to rise to close to 25,0000.
“When it’s really warm, we get a really good turn out,” Lucas said.
Environment Canada is currently predicting a mild night, with a high of zero throughout the day and a low of -11 C. It’s a reprieve from the past week that saw temperatures rarely rise above -20 C and it may bring out more Edmontonians to several free events happening around the city.
This is the 13th year Events Edmonton has planned a night of music and fireworks for a family-friendly way to celebrate the new year in the square. The events remain alcohol-free. Lucas said a new focus this year is on emerging talent to draw young adults. “What we’re trying to do is focus on the young emerging talent just on the cusp of doing some great things,” he said.
The events at Churchill Square begin inside City Hall with crafts and magicians at 7 p.m., and the mainstage lineup starts at 10 p.m. with St. Albert musicians Jessy Mossop and Stephen Lecky. The duo are three-time winners of the St. Albert Idol awards. Winners of the 2011 Canadian Country Music Association Group of the Year, Hey Romeo take the stage about 11 p.m., with local acts Jasmine Singh and Get Recked also slated to play the mainstage, leading up to the city sponsored fireworks show at midnight.
For a complete schedule of events, visit eventsedmonton.ca or call 780-423-2822 .
Churchill Square won’t be the only place to provide free musical entertainment, though. McDougall United Church is hosting a night of folk music with Back Porch Swing and the Al Brant Trio among others. The event is free with a food bank donation. They have timed their concert, which starts at 7:30 p.m., to end at 10:30 to provide time for people to also view the downtown fireworks.
Lucas encouraged people to come downtown using the LRT, as it is free after 6 p.m. Parking is available for $1 after 6 p.m. at the City Hall, Stanley A. Milner, City Centre West and Canada Place parkades. There will be temporary road closures in the area. As well, the City Hall parkade will be closed for entry and exit at 10 p.m. until 45 minutes after the fireworks.
Transit may be the best way to get around the city for many people as it’s free from 6 p.m. on New Year’s Eve and will run until 3:30 a.m., including St. Albert and Strathcona County systems.
Strathcona County will host its own new year’s events. At Festival Place and Broadmoor Lake Park, the county is putting on a safari-themed afternoon with skating and ice sculptures, and ending with fireworks at 8 p.m.
For Edmontonians wanting to stay on the south side, The Ridge Community League is hosting a free night of fireworks, a barbecue and horse-drawn sleigh rides from 5:30-8:30 p.m. The fireworks are at 8 p.m. An ETS shuttle is available for those wanting to attend to the events at Haddow Park. For parking and shuttle details visit here.
Celebrating the new year continues with the Alberta Lt.-Gov. Donald Ethell’s annual levee at Government House on Jan. 1.
Ethell, a decorated peacekeeper, has invited guests to send a postcard to Canadian troops serving overseas. The levee is from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
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