BIG CROWDS

Heritage fest boss says access improved

Although it began with some lousy weather, early word on this year’s Heritage Festival was far from negative.

In preparation for the 2018 event, festival organizers put together a plan with the city and transit to address problems with record-setting attendance and transit delays on the sunny Sunday of last year’s event.

“It was actually probably easier to get in this year than in the last 10 I’ve been involved,” said executive director Jim Gibbon early Monday evening.

Although attendance hadn’t been tallied yet, he said he expected it to be more than 300,000 — more in keeping with previous years’ numbers.

The festival involved around 6,000 volunteers, Gibbon said.

One point of controversy was the rejection of a Palestinian pavilion.

In September, festival organizers are planning to meet with representatives of the Canadian Palestine Cultural Association.

Premier Rachel Notley, who visited the festival’s Hawrelak Park location on Monday, said she hoped the two groups “continue to work together to find a good resolution.”

After the rejection, the Palestinian group shifted its focus to take part by helping collect food donations at grocery stores around the city.

The festival is the single largest drive for the Edmonton Food Bank.

“Support has been really great,” said food bank spokeswoman Samantha Potkins Monday.

“We’re looking forward to getting the numbers.”

Because of traffic changes, the food bank stored donations onsite and would not be tallying until Tuesday.

Last year, the organization raised $37,000 in unused food tickets, $63,000 in cash and more than 60,000 kilograms of food.

The food bank’s Heritage Festival drive will continue at grocery stores and fire halls until Friday.