DEVOTED FANS, FIRST-TIMERS SHARE EXPERIENCES AT K-DAYS
‘It’s the best time of the year in Edmonton,’ eager festivalgoer declares
“It’s not good weather but there are so many things to enjoy here,” said Sahil Sharma as clouds punctuated the Ferris Wheel behind him on Tuesday evening. Emigrating from India a few years ago, this is his first K-Days.
“I don’t enjoy rides but I took a couple of (them),” he said, adding that he was motivated solely by the family who accompanied him.
“I just act in pictures for them and videos for them,” he said jokingly. “I was the extra.”
Chris Trevors, originally from New Brunswick, has been coming since he was four when the carnival still had its Yukon-themed title.
Now he’s sharing the festivities with his twin sons Ethan and Evan, both 6. When asked their favourite part of K-Days, Ethan said it was the bumper cars while Evan said the Mega Drop (with some youthful bravado as he’d never actually taken the 130-foot plummet).
Dad was a bit more candid in his answer.
“I’m just watching them,” he said. “I wish there were more places to have a beer.”
“I’ve lived here for 14 years and I haven’t gone to K-Days,” said Liane Kang, who moved to Edmonton from British Columbia. “This is the year to go with my boyfriend.
“Not a fan of rides,” she added. “We’re too scared to go on the rides.”
But her and Ted An, who has also never been since moving from Regina six years ago, have been enjoying the festival food.
“Only thing we did was eat,” An said, lemonade in hand. As evening approached, the two were on the hunt for a tasty dessert.
Janet Cox is stopping in Edmonton on the way home to Toronto after unveiling a new health product in Vancouver.
She’s in the city to visit friends, try out the Taste of Edmonton and, of course, see what the fuss is about K-Days. She especially liked the Canadian Forces area on the grounds.
“I went into the tank,” she said. “It’s awesome. I held a rifle for the first time ever and I’m impressed with those guys, it’s so heavy.”
Cox may be a bit old to join the Forces but she’s certainly brave enough — for her 65th birthday, she’s planning to skydive. Last year, she did the slingshot ride elsewhere, although she won’t ride it at K-Days.
“My friend is afraid and I won’t do it alone.”
Blake Rennie, 16, was at K-Days with his hockey team. Playing centre, he’s likely used to pressure. When the group of boys was asked about their experience, they look to him.
“It’s the best time of the year in Edmonton,” he said. “(There’s) all the rides you can’t get anywhere else in Alberta or Edmonton.
“And all the carnival games,” he added. Having got their thrills on the roller-coasters, Rennie and friends were planning to try their luck at the games.
“Now it’s game time,” he said, possibly on a path to relive the glory of a treasured K-Days memory and win a giant plush.
While Rennie and friends were just beginning to play, Kevin Durocher and Andrea Pahtayken were finishing — as big winners.
The ball toss, dice rolling and a coin draw yielded the couple three giant plushies, although Durocher ascribes it mostly to luck.
“We’re just on vacation,” he said. “We’re from Lloydminster … (and) came out for the Taste of Edmonton and then K-Days.”
They ’ve been coming out for the past four years to enjoy the games and chow down on the carnival cuisine. This year, they’ll go home with more than just full stomachs.