Downtown Spark festival fizzles out due to lack of funding

The inflatable creatures and large installations of Downtown Spark festival will not be returning this year after funding for it dried up.

Edmonton Downtown Spark public arts festival will not be lighting up this year.

In a release Friday, the Edmonton Downtown Business Association (EDBA) said the festival would not be returning for a fifth year.

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The EDBA said the festival, which featured inflatables, live music and installations in parks and public spaces, was created to boost economic recovery and draw people together during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Grant funding that made the festival possible was aimed at COVID economic recovery, and that funding simply doesn’t exist anymore,” it said.

“The festival’s May timing was also designed to bring visitors downtown during an otherwise slow and quiet time, but thanks to the current Edmonton Oilers roster, May isn’t so quiet downtown anymore.”

The EDBA said it has other “robust programming” planned for spring and summer, which will include Pride month celebrations, the Great Outdoors Comedy Festival and the Summer Block Party series.

The Edmonton Downtown Farmers’ Market will also return to 104 Street on Saturdays starting May 17.

More information on downtown events can be found on the EDBA website.