YXE Urban Games showcases sports, art, and culture in Saskatoon 

(Stacey Hein/CTV News)

More than 1,000 athletes and over 100 artists are gathering in Saskatoon this weekend for the YXE Urban Games, a three-day celebration of sport, creativity, and culture.

Now in its second year, the event at Victoria Park features 13 urban sports including pickleball, disc golf, dodgeball and parkour.

Stephanie Clovechok, CEO of Discover Saskatoon, says the event gives people a chance to learn about and try new sports.

“Some of these urban sports are not common and not known to people,” Clovechok said. “So, we’re really giving opportunities for people to get their hands on an ultimate Frisbee, or to try out spikeball or dodgeball.”

YXE Urban Games also includes live music and dance performances, along with interactive art installations.

“Even all of our art installations include a component where people can create,” said Carrie Catherine, art-culture lead for the event.

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One interactive art installation is a graffiti station where people can spray-paint a van.

The festival site features a beer garden, a family area, food trucks and a large stage showcasing local performers.

“We’ve got some amazing local artists who get to be on that stage and utilize it,” Catherine said.

In the weeks leading up to the games, 60 underprivileged youth took part in a seven-week mentorship program where they were introduced to various urban sports and art forms. Their artwork is now on display.

“That’s something we’re really proud of,” said Clovechok. “Those kids now have somewhere and something to belong to that they didn’t before.”

Clovechok says the event is drawing both Saskatoon residents and visitors, providing a boost to the local economy.“We’re seeing those folks eating in our restaurants and visiting here, learning to connect with our destination,” she said.

The event runs July 18 to 20.