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Good morning, Edmonton and surrounding areas! Happy Saturday!
Sun and cloud mix through the day, a high near 23C with a decent chance of a thunderstorm by evening, cooling to a low near 14C overnight.
Folk Fest hits its final stretch at Gallagher Park, Cariwest brings its parade and Caribbean Village downtown, and there is a lot to dodge raindrops for this weekend. Fort Saskatchewan RCMP need your help after two attempted child lurings, ALERT just pulled off the biggest cash bust in its history between Edmonton and Calgary, and Canada's July jobs numbers landed a genuinely good surprise. Plus a heavy update out of Ukraine, a Toronto consulate shooting update and today's This or That waiting for you below. Here is what is making news across Edmonton and the surrounding areas today.
🎪 Weekend Weather Roulette: What's On in Edmonton This Weekend
Can this weekend's festivals dodge the rain long enough to enjoy them?
Folk Fest wraps up its final two days at Gallagher Park, Cariwest brings its parade and Caribbean Village downtown, and Animethon and St. Albert Ribfest both roll into their second day, all while Saturday's forecast keeps flirting with thunderstorms.
A raincoat in the car could save the day, showers are possible by evening.
Markets, a car show and a 60 year old raft race round out the weekend, see the full list in Events below.
Pick your adventure and dress for maybe getting wet.
🚸 Fort Saskatchewan RCMP Seek Help After Two Attempted Child Lurings
What would you want to know if this happened two blocks from your kid's favourite park?
RCMP are asking for help identifying a man driving a red pickup truck who tried to lure a six year old girl into his vehicle near Ken Hodgkins Park on Wednesday, days after a nine year old boy was approached the same way nearby.
Both kids got away safely and told a trusted adult right away.
Police want anyone with doorbell or dashcam footage from the area between 1:30 and 2:00pm on August 5 to come forward.
Worth a quick conversation with the kids in your life this weekend.
💰 Edmonton to Calgary Drug Bust Nets Largest Cash Haul in ALERT History
What does it take to move seven million dollars in drugs and cash between two cities without anyone noticing?
A ten month investigation across Edmonton, Calgary, St. Albert and Sturgeon County ended with 66.5 kilograms of cocaine, more than 1.15 million dollars in cash, the largest single seizure ALERT has ever recorded, and 17 firearms pulled off the road.
Vehicles were fitted with hidden compartments built specifically for the three hour QEII run between the two cities.
Several people were arrested, though no charges have been laid yet while Crown counsel reviews the file.
One of those good to know your local cops are on it moments.
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📈 Canada Adds a Surprise 75,000 Jobs in July, Unemployment Lowest in Two Years
Can one jobs report actually be good news right now?
Statistics Canada's July Labour Force Survey showed employment up 75,000, more than triple what economists expected, pushing the unemployment rate down to 6.4 percent, its lowest mark in two years.
Wholesale and retail trade led the gains, adding 21,000 jobs, with construction and professional services close behind.
Full time work climbed by 154,000 even as part time positions slipped.
A genuinely upbeat number to hold onto this week.
🚔 Teen Among Suspects Charged in Toronto US Consulate Shooting
How does a 15 year old end up facing 17 charges tied to a shooting at a US consulate?
Toronto police say a 19 year old and a 15 year old now face 32 charges combined in the July 27 shooting outside the US Consulate, alleging the pair were paid through encrypted apps as part of a wider criminals for hire network also tied to a Caledon arson.
A high speed chase following the shooting hit speeds over 140 kilometres an hour before officers called it off.
Police say they are getting closer to identifying who is running the network behind the hires.
A troubling read, and a story worth watching as it develops.
🕊️ At Least Three Killed, Including a Child, in Overnight Russian Strikes Near Kyiv
What does it mean when a capital's outer suburbs are no longer safe from a war still raging half a world away?
Russian ballistic missiles struck the Brovary district northeast of Kyiv in the early hours of Saturday, killing three people, including a child, and wounding three others, according to regional officials, days after a separate wave of strikes across Ukraine killed 21 people.
Falling debris sparked fires and damaged homes and vehicles as air raid sirens sounded across the capital overnight.
President Zelensky was in Belgrade for his first ever visit to Serbia as the strikes hit, meeting with President Vucic on economic ties and the war's toll.
A heavy one to sit with this morning, worth an extra thought for the people living through it.
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Edmonton local Weather
Day ⬇2° lower than historical avg. Night ⬆3° higher than historical avg.
Edmonton Weather: Saturday August 8
Saturday brings a mix of sun and building cloud, a high near 23C in the afternoon with a real chance of a thunderstorm by evening. Temperatures ease to a low near 14C overnight as that storm risk lingers, worth keeping half an eye on the sky if you are headed to any of today's outdoor events.
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Events Happening in Edmonton and Surrounding Areas
Saturday, August 8
🎶 Edmonton Folk Music Festival (Day 3) 🎟️ Details
🗓 Sat Aug 8 · ⏰ 9:30 a.m.–late · 📍 Gallagher Park, 9505 96 Ave NW
Peak Folk Fest day with workshops, family programming, and headline acts.
🇨🇦 Cariwest Parade & Caribbean Village Market 🎟️ Details
🗓 Sat Aug 8 · ⏰ Afternoon–evening · 📍 Downtown Edmonton & Churchill Square
Carnival‑style parade plus Caribbean Village market with food and crafts.
🎌 Animethon 2026 (Day 2) – Vendor Hall 🎟️ Details
🗓 Sat Aug 8 · ⏰ All day · 📍 Edmonton Convention Centre, 9797 Jasper Ave NW
Second day of panels, screenings, contests, and vendor hall action.
🍖 St. Albert Ribfest (Day 2) 🎟️ Details
🗓 Sat Aug 8 · ⏰ All day · 📍 Century Casino Grounds, 24 Boudreau Rd, St. Albert
Mid‑festival ribfest with live music and BBQ focus.
🚣 Sourdough Raft Race 🎟️ Details
🗓 Sat Aug 8 · ⏰ Daytime · 📍 Terwillegar Dog Park, 10 Rabbit Hill Rd NW
60th annual river raft race and water‑fight spectacle; free, family‑friendly fun.
🚗 Rivercity Motors Show N’ Shine 🎟️ Details
🗓 Sat Aug 8 · ⏰ 11 a.m.–4 p.m. · 📍 Location TBA (Edmonton)
Community car/bike/trike show and shine with games and a fundraiser vibe.
Sunday, August 9
🎶 Edmonton Folk Music Festival (Day 4) 🎟️ Details
🗓 Sun Aug 9 · ⏰ 9:30 a.m.–evening · 📍 Gallagher Park, 9505 96 Ave NW
Final day of Folk Fest with workshops, laid‑back hill vibes, and closing sets.
🇨🇦 Cariwest Caribbean Arts Festival (Day 3) – Market & Village 🎟️ Details
🗓 Sun Aug 9 · ⏰ Daytime · 📍 Downtown Edmonton & Churchill Square
Last day of the Caribbean Village, market, and performances; parade has already run Saturday.
🎌 Animethon 2026 (Day 3) – Vendor Hall 🎟️ Details
🗓 Sun Aug 9 · ⏰ All day · 📍 Edmonton Convention Centre, 9797 Jasper Ave NW
Final day of anime programming, contests, and vendors.
🍖 St. Albert Ribfest (Day 3) 🎟️ Details
🗓 Sun Aug 9 · ⏰ All day · 📍 Century Casino Grounds, 24 Boudreau Rd, St. Albert
Final day of ribfest with family activities and live music.
🥕 Bountiful Farmers’ Market 🎟️ Details
🗓 Sun Aug 9 · ⏰ 10 a.m.–4 p.m. · 📍 3696 97 St NW
Large indoor Sunday market with produce, meats, global food stalls, and makers.
🥕 Capilano Farmers Market 🎟️ Details
🗓 Sun Aug 9 · ⏰ 10 a.m.–4 p.m. · 📍 5004 98 Ave NW (Capilano Mall)
Year‑round Sunday market with local growers and artisans.
THIS OR THAT 🗳️
Saturday decision time: are you posted up on the hill at Gallagher Park for Folk Fest's third day, or downtown for the Cariwest Parade and Caribbean Village Market? Both are happening right now, rain or shine.
Hit reply and tell us which one wins your afternoon.