Downtown Spark Festival - Edmonton’s Annual Arts & Culture Celebration — Foundry Events

Downtown Spark

 

There is no event production and management partner quite like Foundry Events in Western Canada. They’re unmatched in their creativity, innovation, professionalism, and ability to execute. We’ve been trusting them with some of our most complex and high-profile event programming for 3 years, and we owe much of our success to our partnership with Foundry.

Puneeta McBryan, CEO, Edmonton Downtown Business Association

Downtown Spark was an 11-day annual arts and cultural festival presented by the Edmonton Downtown Business Association (EDBA) designed to transform Edmonton’s downtown into a vibrant space filled with art, cultural events, and community spirit. Established in 2021 as an initiative to bring visitors back downtown, Downtown Spark has quickly grown into one of Edmonton’s most highly anticipated spring festivals, drawing thousands to the city’s core for free, immersive experiences and interactive art installations. With support from the City of Edmonton, Enbridge Centre, and  Triovest, offers accessible programming for all ages.

The highlight of Downtown Spark was a series of five large-scale inflatable sculptures by internationally renowned artists Atelier Sisu from Australia and Designs in Air from the UK, alongside an interactive piece by local design group Vignettes. These installations are located at six iconic downtown sites, with the largest, Evanescent by Atelier Sisu, occupying Churchill Square. Evanescent, a bubble-inspired installation, offers visitors a unique experience by reflecting sunlight and casting a rainbow of colors by day, while transforming into an array of vibrant colors at night​​.

Our expertise

  • Program Development: Curated a lineup of art installations, performances, and themed events to invite community connection and play.

  • Logistical Planning: Coordinated site layouts, visitor flow, and safety protocols across multiple downtown locations.

  • Stakeholder Engagement: Partnered with local and international artists, sponsors, and community organizations to support Edmonton’s arts and business community.

  • On-Site Execution: Managed installation maintenance, daily logistics, and volunteer coordination to ensure smooth festival operations.

Key Experiences

  • Bark & Brew (May 27-28): A pet-friendly beer garden at Alex Decoteau Park, complete with dog-friendly activities, live music, vendors, and free treats.

  • Downtown Spark Block Party (June 3): A free outdoor concert on Macdonald Drive headlined by Juno-winning artist William Prince, with performances by Kyle McKearney, Nice Horse, and Lucette.

  • 80s Video Dance Party (May 26): An 80s-themed dance event at Alex Decoteau Park with DJ Thomas Culture and music videos on a big screen.

  • Guided Scooter Tours: 90-minute tours led by YEG Scoot, guiding visitors to all festival installations while sharing insights on downtown architecture and history.

  • Science Sunday (June 4): Family-friendly science activities, hosted in partnership with TELUS World of Science, the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, and the Edmonton Rocketry Club​​​.

Festival Imapct

The 2023 Downtown Spark drew over 24,700 attendees, with daily attendance of 21,600 across Alex Decoteau Park and Rice Howard Way. Key highlights included the Bark N Brew, which attracted 2,000 people in its first weekend alone, and live performances by Reuben and the Dark and The Bullhorn Singers, which added vibrant musical elements to the art installations. Engagement was bolstered by high local support, with web and social media campaigns reaching over 44,000 unique visitors​​.

Strategic Goals

  • Revitalize Downtown Edmonton: Bring Edmontonians and visitors downtown to experience and support the community.

  • Celebrate Art and Culture: Showcase local and international artists, providing immersive, accessible art experiences.

  • Encourage Community Play and Interaction: Promote joyful, memorable experiences that foster community bonds.

  • Drive Economic Growth: Collaborate with local businesses to increase foot traffic, generating visibility and support for downtown establishments.

IN the News

Edmonton Family Magazine: Details the 2023 festival installations and activities, including Evanescent by Atelier Sisu and Designs in Air's whimsical inflatables.

The Raven: An interview with Tracy Hyatt from the EDBA discusses the festival’s expanded lineup, focus on community, and events like the Bark & Brew and 80s Video Dance Party.

CFWE Radio: Highlights the June 3rd Block Party event featuring William Prince, underscoring Downtown Spark’s role in celebrating Edmonton’s music scene and bringing the community together.

 
 

In the spirit of respect, reciprocity and truth, we honour and acknowledge that Foundry operates on the traditional territories of many First Nations, Métis, and Inuit whose footsteps have marked these lands for centuries. We are situated on Treaty 6, Treaty 7, and Treaty 8 territory, traditional lands of First Nations and Métis peoples. These treaties include the Blackfoot Confederacy (comprising the Siksika, Piikani, and Kainai Nations), the Tsuut’ina First Nation, the Stoney Nakoda Nations, the Cree, Dene, Saulteaux, Nakota Sioux, as well as the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region III and Otipemisiwak Métis Government. Finally, we acknowledge all Nations – Indigenous and non – who live, work and play on this land, and who honour and celebrate this territory.