Known as “Cowtown” or “The Stampede City” for hosting the yearly ‘Greatest Show on Earth’, the character of Calgary is clear. But what about Alberta’s capital?
Edmonton gets referred to as:
“The City of Champions,”
“The Oil Capital of Canada,”
“Festival City,”
“Gateway to the North,”
“River City,”
“YEG,”
and let’s not forget the colloquialism, “We’ve got Connor and you don’t”
With so many monikers, it’s easy for Edmontonians to have an identity crisis. However, there is one theme that has continued on from our roots as a city. With over 50 festivals annually, Edmontonians consistently brave the elements and find new and diverse ways to celebrate culture and community
The Canadian Derby is no different.
The region surrounding the city provides Edmonton with the unique ability to attract agricultural and equestrian initiatives. The best example is the annual Canadian Derby, the second jewel in the Western Canadian Triple Crown. As the only 1-mile “A” level racetrack west of Toronto, Century Mile Racetrack and Casino proudly hosts this prestigious event. The Canadian Derby is a 1¼ mile (or 10 furlongs) race that draws significant attention each year.
This past weekend, we were graciously invited to attend the Canadian Derby, alongside several dignitaries and politicians.
Horse racing may not be everyone’s cup of tea, it undeniably serves as a major economic driver for the region:
- Alberta’s horse racing industry drove $312M of economic benefit in 2019
- $1.9M was wagered on the Canadian Derby in 2020
- 1.5B people watched or bet on horse racing in 2020
- The Canadian Derby brought 3200+ people to the event in 2023
We are fortunate to live in a city that is so welcoming of a wide diversity of events – from CariWest to the Silver Skate Festival and everything in between.
As Diplomat and our partner organization, Positive Intent Events (PIE), work to bring a new style of festivals to the city, we believe the future is bright for our community. Edmonton continues to host a rich diversity of experiences that provide threads of connection for tourists and locals alike.
