News
& Media
Press Release
November 29, 2018
Plan for a Perfect Winter Day at University District’s Annual Northwestival
When the weather outside is frightful, Calgary’s University District shares plans for something delightful. Northwestival is back, a winter warm up event on December 9 that made a splash last year, showcasing University District’s (U/D) signature style and people-first design.
The feel-good annual community event will feature a wide range of unique local artisans, performers and entrepreneurs who celebrate the cultural landscape of Calgary. From a plaza full of snowmen and delicious s’mores to fat bikes and warming fire pits, the best-of-winter activities, entertainment and treats will tease you outside to make lasting memories with neighbours, friends, families, and pets. Join us for some festival fun!
Details:
What: Northwestival Event
When: December 9, 2018 1 – 6 p.m.
Where: Field 9, University of Calgary
2 Blocks East of the University District Discovery Centre,
at the intersection of 39th Street NW and University Ave.
University District strives to elevate traditional holiday giving – and warm hearts and minds – through several initiatives that surprise and delight neighbours in need. Leading up to and during the event, Calgarians are encouraged to donate to this year’s Northwestival local charity, I Can for Kids. Founded by now 14-year-old Sutton Garner, the organization aims to end summer childhood hunger in Calgary. Donations will help feed hungry children in more than 60 communities in Calgary next year.
To participate, we are encouraging festival-goers to bring an unopened jar of peanut butter (almond or cashew too!) or a cash donation as admission to Northwestival. Donations of peanut butter are also being accepted at the University District Discovery Centre from November 20-December 9. Why peanut butter? It is a staple item with I Can for Kids because it is one of the few types of nutritious foods that kids can easily prepare and can store well for a long period of time. We hope everyone will join us to help raise donations for this meaningful cause.
Beyond giving back to the community, there is so much to look forward to on December 9: Inviting and cozy fire pits, seasonal activities and comfort food, that are considered “Northwest of Normal:”
- Live entertainment including Indigo Circus Performance troupe, Powwow Mash-up, directed and created by Jessica McMann, and the Midnight Taiko Kai Japanese drumming group
- DIY winter workshops from modern wreaths, cinnamon ornaments and inspirational note cards to recipients for I Can for Kids
- Delicious treats from YYC Food Trucks
- Maple syrup snow taffy at the Cabane à Sucre (sugar shack)
- Sled Dogs, holiday hayrides, axe throwing and log sawing
- Fire-pits with s’more stations
- Hot drinks provided by Calgary Heritage Roasting Co.
“Northwestival is a fun, innovative and eclectic festival where Calgarians are invited to come together as a community while ushering a warmer way to celebrate the season,” says James Robertson, President and CEO of West Campus Development Trust (the Trust), developer of University District. “We strive to showcase the unique spirit of the Northwest by bringing new residents, community members, and Calgarians together to showcase what this part of the city has to offer.
Partnering with the arts and culture community, local businesses and I Can for Kids is all part of how we want to build and drive the future of Calgary. We hope that everyone will enjoy Northwestival as a thought-provoking and innovative experience that is inclusive, fun and creative.”
The event is an opportunity for Calgarians to see the Northwest in a new light and how University District is paving the way for a bold new vision of life in Calgary – an emerging urban community that is primed for a vibrant and upbeat living. The community master plan sets a high standard for new neighbourhoods with a mindful and sustainable design that promotes smart, healthy living. It also reflects West Campus Development Trust’s vision to incorporate and foster local arts, cultural innovation and social recreation at the core of U/D.
The Trust invites everyone of all ages from across the city to come together for a day of holiday surprises, and to enjoy the winter season in Calgary.
Visit northwestival.ca for more information.
Thank you to the generous sponsors and donors to Northwestival that help make the magic happen.
Media Kit Updated Dec. 4, 2018
About West Campus Development Trust
West Campus Development Trust (the Trust) is the community developer for Calgary’s University District. Setting a high standard for sustainable neighbourhood design, the Trust has created and led a progressive community Master Plan for 200 acres of land. With quality, design and expertise at the forefront, its team and 14-member board of directors are dedicated to creating the city’s premier urban residential community. True to fundamental values of transparency, collaboration and mindful progress, the Trust is creating a community for all Calgarians to experience and enjoy. The Trust is the recipient of the 2018 New Community Development Award at the BILD Alberta Awards for University District.
About University District
To the west of University of Calgary and overlooking the Bow River and Rocky Mountains, University District is a comprehensive 200-acre community with a bold new vision for urban life in Calgary. Through a collaborative, people-first design process, the master planning and comprehensive engagement program forged strong respect between local stakeholders and the Trust. The neighbourhood applies the best ideas in city design and incorporates the wants and needs of surrounding legacy communities – weaving current aesthetic, technology and lifestyle options into the strong social fabric of the city. For more information about University District, visit its Discovery Centre at 4410 University Ave. N.W., Calgary (just north of the Alberta Children’s Hospital) or go online: myuniversitydistrict.ca and visit Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, #UDLife.
About I Can For Kids
In 2015, along with her mom Bobbi Turko, Sutton Garner founded the I Can for Kids Foundation, a Calgary-based charity dedicated to ending summer childhood hunger in our city. As the only agency providing this type of service in Calgary, I Can for Kids has quickly become a critical resource for thousands of kids impacted by emergency, temporary and chronic food insecurity. In recognition of our work, Sutton was honored as Calgary’s Youth Philanthropist of the Year for 2017, and one of our city’s Most Compelling Calgarians of 2018 by the Calgary Herald. For more information, please visit www.icanforkids.ca.