1. It Is Almost Always Sunny
Edmonton experiences an average of 325 sunny days each year. It also has a dry climate, so even on a very cold winter day, the lack of moisture and blazing sun makes the the temperature bearable. (Average of 22 °C in July, -8 °C in January)
2. Edmonton is Known As “Canada’s Festival City”
Edmonton is host to over 30 annual festivals, and over 50 “events” each year! The Folk, Fringe and Street Performers festivals are internationally renowned! http://exploreedmonton.com/festivals-and-events/all
3. Edmonton’s Most Dangerous Predator Is The Mosquito!
More than 30 species of mosquito live in the Edmonton area. Many people choose to put up bat houses near their homes to reduce the number of mosquitoes in the summer.
4. West Edmonton Mall – Only Tourists Really Care
It may be one of the 10 largest malls in the world, but true Edmontonians avoid it like the plague…especially on long weekends and holidays!
5. People Wear Shorts In The Snow
Why? I have always asked myself the same question, but I think it has to do with our short summer season. It seems that every time the weather warms up just a bit in the winter, hordes of teenagers (and some adults) thumb their noses at the snow and don their shorts.
6. It Is Home To Canada’s Largest Living History Museum
The Fort Edmonton Park explores Edmonton’s history from a fur trade post to a growing centre after the First World War. Costumed interpreters guide visitors through the site and you can even take a ride on a steam engine or horse drawn carriage.
7. There Are No Rats – Here Or Anywhere In Alberta
The only rat you will see in Edmonton will be behind bars in a pet store.
8. There Is No Such Thing As A Snow Day!
Yes, it gets so cold that the motors in school buses can’t even start. Here, even elementary school kids have outdoor recess at -20 °C. In Edmonton, we laugh in the face of snowdrifts and icy roads. You will seldom get out of going to work, so buy some good tires!
9. Edmonton Has Canada’s Largest Planetarium Dome Theatre.
Telus World of Science (formerly The Edmonton Space and Science Centre) boasts a 275 seat IMAX Theatre, the Margaret Zeidler Star Theatre, an Observatory, as well as numerous Exhibits and Galleries.
10. We Do Not Wear Cowboy Hats
We may be a prairie city, but cowboy hats are scarce on the streets of Edmonton. You will have to travel South to Calgary to see more of those.
11. Buying A House In Edmonton
You can buy a quaint, restored home in Glenora, a mansion with a river valley view, a new build by a man-made lake, or choose a sleek condo Downtown. There is something for everyone! Search listings in the Edmonton Area via www.thegabouryteam.com
12. We Love Our Oilers
We have had ups and downs in hockey, but Edmonton has some of the most loyal fans in the NHL. Famous Oilers include Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, Grant Fuhr, Paul Coffey, Jari Kurri, Glenn Anderson, Kevin Lowe, Esa Tikkanen, Ryan Smyth, and Doug Weight. We are very excited for our new crop of young players; Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle, Ryan Nugent Hopkins, Neil Yakupov and Connor McDavid.
13. We Unapologetically Love Timmy’s
What is so special about Tim Horton’s you ask? It is Consistent; a double-double ALWAYS tastes like a double-double. It is Economical; a decent meal at a decent price. It is Dependable; there is one on every corner and they are ALWAYS open. It is Canadian; there are few things we can truly call our own, but when you land in the Edmonton International Airport, smell the coffee and doughnuts, and see the line-up, you know you are home.
14. There is a River Boat???
Yes you heard it correctly! The Edmonton Queen Riverboat runs each year after the ice melts on the North Saskatchewan River. It offers an opportunity to have dinner while enjoying Edmonton’s picturesque river valley.
15. Tipping Norms in Edmonton
Table service tips only (or at a bar). 15% has been standard rule of thumb for most people, but nothing is set in stone. Two things to keep in mind…wait staff make less than minimum wage and they are required to give a portion of their sales to the kitchen staff. So, if the kitchen was slow and you are unhappy, your server still has to pay the kitchen money, even if you leave her with no tip. (Serving is a really hard job, but by working hard, many of our young people are able to put themselves through school.)
16. Yes, We Have Food Trucks
Food trucks are becoming more and more popular in Edmonton. Check out streetfoodapp.com/edmonton for a food truck near you!
17. Edmonton Is Part Of “Tornado Alley”
“Tornado Alley” is the tornado belt that begins in Central Texas and ends in Central Alberta, just North of Edmonton. The most noted Edmonton tornado was on July 31, 1987. Most Edmonton residents who are at least 30 years old can tell you a exactly what they were doing that day.
18. We Have Eskimos, But No Igloos
The Edmonton Eskimos is our football team, and as a true Edmontonian, you will have to adopt the “Green & Gold” on sale price game days. We will brave any weather condition to support our team!
19. You Will See Flip Flops in Winter
No, we are not crazy! But if there is an opportunity to escape the cold to a warm sunny beach, there is no way an appointment Edmonton lady will risk her pedicure by putting on winter boots!
20. We Are A “Green City”
Edmonton’s River Valley is the largest stretch of urban parkland in North America (over 20 times the size of New York’s Central Park). There are 22 major parks and 150 kilometres of trails on which you can enjoy walks, bike rides, picnics, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and more.
21. There Are Plenty Of People Watching Opportunities
If you love people watching, head down to Whyte Ave. During the day, families enjoy the unique shops, restaurants and street vendors. After dark, the eccentric come out to play.
22. How Long is Winter?
Winter generally begins mid November and lasts to early April, but can be as short as December to March, or as long as September to May.
23. Edmonton is a Capital City
Calgary may be bigger, but Edmonton is Alberta’s capital city! Edmonton holds all main provincial areas of government such as the Provincial Legislature of Alberta.
24. We Have Three Streetcars
The High Level Streetcar is operated between May and October each year. The streetcars are operate primarily on former C.P.R. trackage, however, Strathcona and the High Level Bridge have a long association with streetcars.
25. Edmonton Has No Provincial Sales Tax
When shopping in Edmonton, you can enjoy 0% provincial sales tax added to your purchases. This means the only tax you pay at the till is the 5% federal GST. So go ahead, buy the shoes!
By Christina Henker-Gaboury, October 20, 2015