In addition to the spectacular river valley view and delicious culinary treats from the Mac.

Folks played some classic garden games (bocce ball, lawn bowling, and croquet).

Guests learned about the historical (and modern) curiosities of the hotel and enjoyed the warm sun on the terrace.

The afternoon also featured local art from Lori Frank with delightful musical ambiance from Harpist Keri Lynn Zwicker.

Winner @IPEdmonton walked home with a snazzy door prize of a collective art canvas from our attendees of the afternoon (materials discounted from the Paint Spot)! 

A lovely afternoon in the sun raising over $500 for Smudge and our furry friends at the Edmonton Humane Society. Heads up – Smudge is turning 7! Celebrate our friendly canine ambassador’s birthday in style on November 29, 2014.

What next? Don’t Blink – you might just miss us!

WHAT: Blink: The ImMACulate Garden Party!
WHERE: Fairmont Hotel Macdonald Gardens 10065 100 Street
WHEN: Sunday, August 24, 2014 from 2-5pm

Rain or Shine

We are hopeful for a sunny feels like 20 degrees tomorrow afternoon. But in case you are wondering, this event will happen rain or shine. An immaculate indoor contingency space (doesn’t roll of the tongue like a garden party) is secured in case of emergency.

Tickets

Tickets will be available on eventbrite until noon on Sunday, August 24. Please purchase your tickets in advance as there will be no tickets at the door (note: if you arrive at the door to donate $100 cash to the Edmonton Humane Society without a ticket – we will not turn you away from the party). Please note, you do will NOT need to print your tickets in advance.

Road Closures

Heads up. Roads will be closed Sunday, August 24 on

• Jasper Avenue, from 100 Street to 108 Street
• 108 Street, from Jasper Ave to 102 Ave
• 102 Avenue, from 108 Street to 118 Street

until 3pm for the 2014 Edmonton Marathon. Please plan accordingly. Sending a friendly garden wave and best of luck to our runners!

Getting There

Walking and Transit are readily available to the Mac. Valet and self parking are available on site for a fee.

What Else to Expect?

Adding to the ambience will be river valley paintings from visual artist mixed media Lori Frank in an exclusive one-afternoon exhibit in the gardens. Lori’s Edmonton River Valley Gallery was part of The Works Art and Design Festival with originals, canvas giclee prints and smaller digital prints.

Be inspired by the view, Lori’s impressive work, and collaborate your creative side with other garden partiers on a collective canvas with pastels. We invite you to pick up a pastel and contribute! The supplies supported by the Paint Spot. The final canvas piece will be a unique momento as one of the fantastic door prizes.

Pick up a scavenger hunt questionnaire on your way in and learn about the gardens. For example, did you know herbs growing in the gardens are used in your Fairmont culinary treats? Answer 8 or 10 questions and qualify for a door prize!

Games on the Green will include Bocce ball, lawn bowling, and croquet. Rules will be available onsite. See our games post here.

Dress weather appropriate and come in your garden best (we’re recommending pastels, linens, whites). See you Sunday!

1) The View

Edmonton’s river valley is our crowned jewel. Enjoy its splendors over a fashioned cocktail or a cheeky conversation on one of the best patio’s in town.

2) The Food

Chorizo sliders, duck confit tacos and mini maple crème brulee are just some of the tasty delights to sample on the terrace. If you haven’t tried the Mac’s culinary treats before, this is a great opportunity to try a wide variety of their well-known cuisine. See our full menu post here.

3) The History

The Fairmont Hotel Macdonald is a prized architectural structures of our city, but was once at risk of demolition as recently as the 1980’s.  Don’t miss this chance to join one of 3 tours happening throughout the afternoon and learn about a part of our heritage.

4) The Cause

For Smudge – and his friends at the Edmonton Humane Society. Proceeds from this community building event will support the amazing things this organization does. Check out our post here.

5) The Ambiance

This party is a chance to appreciate one of the most beautiful underutilized spaces in the core of our city. Whether musing to the classic harp strings or playing a round of croquet with your mates, the elegant nature of this event invites an afternoon filled with sunshine and smiles.

Join us August 24th in your Sunday garden best from 2-5pm. Don’t forget to pick up your advanced tickets here, as there will be no tickets at the door.

For media details, please review the press release: ImMACulate-Garden-Party-Engages-Community-Raises-Funds-August-24.pdf.

The Sights

Did you know it will be the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald centennial celebration next July? Built in 1912 by the Grand Truck Pacific Railway and talks of demolition in the 1980s, the hotel has an intriguing history we welcome you to discover through the Macdonald Tours. There will be three tours offered throughout the afternoon with a glimpse into this architectural gem.

The Sounds

You will be engulfed by a classical ambiance well suited to the Mac Patio.

Photo from Baconhound (click to link!)

Keri Lynn Zwicker is the chameleon harpchick about Edmonton who will fill the air with the classic folk-inspired harp music. From Celtic to Classical, from Irish pub to the Winspear, Keri Lynn has a breadth of versatile experience with an ARCT in piano performance from the Royal Conservatory, and a Bachelor of Music and a Master of Arts from the University of Alberta. Her fantastic musical presence and Alberta-built carbon fibre harp are a treat to have on the patio. We are happy to welcome Keri Lynn to the ImMACulate Garden Party. We know you’ll enjoy the unique performance in this special setting.

The Sports

What would a garden party be without lawn games? Try your hand at these classic games:

Croquet: Try challenging some new friends to a round of croquet! Perhaps you have played once-upon-a-time or you may have never tried to get that colourful ball through the wicket before – here’s your chance to try your hand. Don’t worry if you’re concerned about skill, we hear the Sommelier’s Blend white sangria with fresh summer fruit is the drink of croquet champions.

Lawn Bowling: We know Edmontonians have a knack for curling, so why not try out curling’s warming, greener cousin? Combine bocce ball with curling rocks and a dash of summertime spirit and you’ve got a great lawnbowling game. We encourage you to test out the Garden green with this classic summer game.

Scavenger Hunt: Join the outdoor scavenger hunt and satisfy your curiosities with natural and historical highlights of the hotel sights. Winners qualify for a sweet door prize.

Enjoy the summer sunshine and learn about Edmonton’s heritage – complete with sights, sounds, and sports for your afternoon delight! Don’t forget to grab your advanced tickets here!

We also are excited to introduce you to the Hotel Macdonald’s Canine Ambassador. Yes, you read that right.

Meet your co-host, Smudge:

In honour of our esteemed co-host, the ImMACulate Garden Party will be in part a fundraiser for the Edmonton Humane Society. Proceeds from this event will be support the important work they do for Edmonton’s furry friends with homes less snazzy than Smudge’s.

Without further ado, we cordially invite you to purchase your tickets here.

Our August 24, 2014 ImMACulate Garden Party will give you a good excuse to explore the patio for yourself and to take in the grand view of Edmonton’s spectacular river valley on one of the final weekends this summer.

But what would a garden party be without a signature cocktail and nibbles? Chef Serge Jost and his talented team at the Hotel Macdonald have designed a menu that highlights fresh, seasonal flavours, and includes the tacos that found a following at the recent Taste of Edmonton.

• Mini BBQ chicken wrap
• Cherry tomato, fresh mozzarella and basil skewers
• Summer vegetable salad rolls
• Chorizo sliders with lime aioli on brioche buns
• Cherry-glazed duck confit tacos with Asian slaw
• Compressed watermelon with goat cheese
• Seafood ceviche with lime zest
• Mango and raspberry panna cotta
• Mini maple crème brulee spoons

And in addition to their extensive bar menu, attendees will be welcomed with a Sommelier’s Blend white sangria with fresh summer fruit.

I can taste it already. Tickets will be on sale later this week – stay tuned.

Expect nibbles, signature cocktails, entertainment and activities that will help you explore the terrace and learn more about the hotel.

And did we mention the view?

Tickets and more details will be released next week.

WHAT: Blink: Parkade Party!
WHERE: Vinci Park 103 (10040 103 Street)
WHEN: Saturday, August 31, 2013 from 6-11pm

Admission

Admission is free! But we will be collecting donations for Downtown Proud, a program run by Boyle Street Community Services that helps keep the core clean. We are suggesting that you donate $5 if you are able.

Schedule of Events

There is something for everyone at the parkade party!

• 6:00 – 7:30pm – DJ Thomas Scott (Urban Monks) will be ushering us into the 50s and 60s with a rock & roll soundtrack from the era
• 7:30 – 8:00pm – E-Town Salsa will be offering Latin dance lessons. Get ready to learn the salsa, merengue and bachata! To rev everyone up, they will end with some zumba!
• 8:00 – 8:30pm – nothing says carnival like a cookie eating contest! Cookie Love will be hosting a cookie eating contest featuring a number of Edmonton’s social media superstars, including Brittney Le Blanc and Liv Vors. Who will reign supreme? Join us to find out!
• 8:30 – 9:00pm – Sugar Swing Dance Club will be teaching Grease-inspired dance moves. Ever wanted to “Go Grease Lighting” like the T-Birds, or “Hand Jive” with the best of them? Now’s your chance!
• 9:00 – 11:00pm – an outdoor screening of the iconic 50s musical, Grease!
• 11:00pm – it’s Saturday night after all, so join us for an after party at Cask & Barrel!

Throughout the evening there will also be fun carnival games!

Food

Fat Franks and Cookie Love will be serving up your carnival favorites!

What to Bring

Media Architecture Design Edmonton (MADE) will be deploying some grass tiles as a way of transforming the parkade landscape, but for your comfort, we’d recommend bringing a chair for the movie screening!

Also, we’re in Edmonton after all, so be prepared for all weather conditions (hats, jackets, blankets) – you just never know!

Access and Parking

The parkade is equipped with an elevator at the 103 Street entrance.

Parking is available in Vinci 103 on the lower levels (P3 and below). The rate is $3/day on Saturdays.

WHAT: Blink: Parkade Party!
WHERE: Vinci Park 103 (10040 103 Street)
WHEN: Saturday, August 31, 2013 from 6-11pm

The event is a fundraiser for Downtown Proud, a program run by Boyle Street Community Services, so we’ll need some helpful hands to pull it off!

Roles include set-up and tear down, welcoming participants, manning a variety of carnival games, and handing out popcorn – good, old fashioned fun!

If you’re interested and available, please leave a comment in this thread.

Thanks!

We are excited to partner with Media Architecture Design Edmonton (MADE) to integrate a re-deployable #makescape system of grass tiles onto a parkade rooftop. The grass tiles provide a unique picnic park(ade!) presence amongst the concrete asphalt jungle. #makescape is an urban intervention concept originated in Centennial Plaza as a part of a Designing Downtown project. Look out for these mobile features as they continue to be deployed throughout other events and featured in #makescape two on October 5, 2013. Relax, take a seat, and enjoy the screen from the green!

In addition, the exploratory competition to locally re-design barricades was successfully completed earlier this week. With 8 prototype finalists were displayed at the 124th Street Market and Fringe Festival, Chris vander Hoek was the winner of the judge’s competition for his Barrique design while Chris Brodt and Mark Lafond won the people’s choice for Zumorph. We are thrilled to feature a some of these amazing pieces in true Parkade Party form by re-imagining our urban awesome!

Now that the stage is set – just wait until you hear the spicy entertainment we’re announcing next! Stay tuned.