After months of planning, Airdrie’s annual family-centric street festival, airdrieFEST, is set to go ahead this Saturday outside City Hall, with road closures along Main Street expected throughout the afternoon of Sept. 11.
The event will kick off at 11 a.m. with a portion of Main Street shut down to vehicular traffic between the Airdrie Mainstreet Square and just south of the ATB Financial.
According to Kim Harris, community developer with the City of Airdrie, airdrieFEST has a total of 145 registered vendors scheduled to participate in the event this year, including 86 businesses and 59 not-for-profit organizations.
“We are looking forward to hosting airdrieFEST and showcasing all that Airdrie has to offer,” Harris said. “AirdrieFEST provides a fun, free event for all ages.”
In a press release, Harris referred to airdrieFEST as a key anchor festival within the city’s downtown core.
The festival – which also unofficially celebrates Airdrie’s birthday as a municipality – will include a mix of vendor booths, children’s activities, food trucks, and live entertainment. Performances and showcases will be scheduled throughout the afternoon until approximately 4 p.m.
Harris added this year’s event boasts a strong line-up of entertainment, including Airdrie’s own Christian Hudson, who gained recognition nation-wide after winning the 2015 Stampede Talent Search. Additional acts include the World Class Taekwondo Academy Demo Team, local theatre company Nose Creek Players, and more.
Christopher Glass, airdrieFEST committee member, said in a City press release the event is a celebration of the diversity and talent located in Airdrie.
“From local businesses who make us proud to our growing arts and entertainment community, we are going to see a snapshot of the very best Airdrie has to offer,” he said.
While the event was cancelled last year in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the City is eager to celebrate Airdrie’s unofficial birthday for the first time since 2019 in style.
“It is an exciting time to welcome back airdrieFEST to our community,” said Mayor Peter Brown in a press release. “The vibe and atmosphere of the day’s activities truly showcase the engaged and vibrant community that Airdrie is.
“I hope to see many of our residents coming down to check out all that Airdrie has to offer.”
Access to Airdrie’s Urgent Care Centre is available heading north on Main Street from Yankee Valley Boulevard. Heading south from Veteran’s Boulevard, the facility can be accessed via Albert Street S.E.
To see an online, interactive map showing routes and road closures, or for more details on airdrieFEST, visit airdriefest.ca
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