Author: Ed Fong
The long awaited opening of our beloved Farmers’ Market is fast approaching. This year’s market will be bigger and more actioned packed than ever. So come on down and welcome the returning vendors and introduce yourself to the new faces joining the City Market for the first time. Shoppers looking for local meats, seasonal produce, delicious baked goods and unique craft items will not be disappointed. Kickoff is at 9:00 AM sharp, rain or shine. For more information, visit the City Market website at www.city-market.ca
May 15 Opening Day festivities begin at 11:00 AM when the City Market acknowledges its supporters and welcomes Mayor Mandel who will bring greetings from the City of Edmonton. Everyone is invited to join our mayor and VIPs who will ring their market bells to announce the opening of the 2010 market season. This event will take place at the 102nd Avenue intersection.
This year, the City Market will introduce a series of monthly cultural festivals. On May 15, the City Market will launch the first of its five festivals by celebrating Chinese culture. The Chinese Cultural Festival will feature a Lion and Dragon Dance, Chinese cuisine and other activities celebrating Chinese culture. All activities will be centered on the 102nd Avenue intersection throughout the day and will begin right after the bell ringing at 11:05 AM.
In keeping with the spirit of the celebration, deVine Wines will be offering free samples of Chinese wine and beer in the store between 11:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Yes, you heard correctly! Chinese wine! This will be a first for many, so don’t pass on this exciting opportunity. We will be sampling the Changyu Cabernet Geruischt Red (the only place in the world where this old Bordeaux grape is still surviving) and Changyu Noble Dragon White. Three beers will be available for sampling as well: Pearl River Zhu Jiang Beer, Tsingtao Beer and Yanjing Beer. Perhaps you will experience your epiphany for an ultimate wine pairing with sticky rice.
If you enjoyed what you have sampled and would like a glass of Chinese beer or wine with some great food, head over to the Blue Plate Diner (www.blueplatediner.ca) or Tzin Wine & Tapas (www.tzin.ca). Our neighbors will be serving these wines and selected beers that day.
If you feel lucky, head over to the City Market Info Tent. Here, you can enter to win a gift basket of the featured wine and beers by subscribing to the City Market or deVine Wines e-newsletters.
Remember that getting to the Downtown City Market has never been easier with the opening of the two Southside LRT stations. From Century Park Station, you are 18 minutes away. From Southgate Station, you are 13 minutes away. Your departing station to the Downtown Farmers’ Market is Bay/Enterprise Square Station. For more information, visit Edmonton Transit’s webpage at www.edmonton.ca/transportation/edmonton-transit-system-ets.aspx. If you want to stay, play and explore downtown after the market, visit the Downtown Business Association’s website at www.edmontondowntown.com. You’ll find many attractions to check out in the heart of the city.
If you enjoyed the Chinese Cultural Festival, please mark June 12 on your calendar. On that day, the Portuguese Cultural Festival will be presented. This is also the day of Al Fresco 2010, the 104th-Street block party and fundraiser, the Downtown Edmonton Community League and Sobeys Pancake Breakfast and the Edmonton Pride Parade. Stay tuned for more exciting news on this action packed day.
See you all at the Market on Opening Day!