Families looking to spend a staycation with a little more money in their pockets are getting some help from popular attractions around the city. Doug Griffiths, the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce CEO, says rising gas, food and general living expenses means Edmontonians may be feeling a “financial pinch.” “People will be looking for ways to save money and make sure that they stretch their dollars more,” he said. “But Edmontonians are a hearty bunch that still love their restaurants, they love their festivals, they love their events.” The city’s businesses, in turn, may also be feeling the uncertainty of not having customers, he said. “It will be the same innovation strategies that businesses used during the pandemic, and during every economic downturn we’ve had … The federal government recognizes the economy is growing, but it’s still in a fragile circumstance, so we’ll always be watching it to see if there are measures to help support consumers and small businesses in their efforts.” Cut to a moderately overcast, chilly May long weekend in Edmonton, where families were still lining up for the opening of Fort Edmonton Park for the season. Tickets are 10-per-cent cheaper than they were last year, said director Tannian Franke, because the living history museum is hoping to reduce financial barriers. “If there’s anything we can do to help, like lowering our prices a little bit, that’s hopefully going to help people feel that they’re welcome, that they can still enjoy,” she told CTV News Edmonton. “This is a great summer to come down, stay in Edmonton, stay local, or welcome visitors from across Canada.” Taste of Edmonton, the 11-day food and entertainment festival that takes over the downtown core each July, is renewing its partnership with KDays and the Great Outdoors Comedy Festival. An ‘Eat Play Laugh’ ticket package offers a discounted rate for all three events together. This year, there are 2,500 passes available for $59. The pass gives you 15 tickets to Taste of Edmonton, a 10-day pass to KDays and a matinee performance at the comedy festival. “The overwhelming popularity of that (last year) put us in a position to collaborate again for 2026,” said Taste of Edmonton executive director Donovan Vienneau. “Affordability is a very big thing, and we want to make sure that we can give this to as many people as we possibly can at a discounted price.” He said it’s an easy way for businesses to thrive with what’s in their control. As a non-profit organization, Vienneau says the restaurants his team of four partners with are “the greatest restaurant partners in the world.” Taste of Edmonton tickets specifically are also up for pre-sale until July 15, offering a $10 discount per sheet of 40 tickets. Big Valley Jamboree, the summertime camping and music festival in Camrose, Alta., is also hosting a flash sale with discounted $99 single-day passes from Saturday until the end of the long weekend. With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Connor Hogg
