Ed the elephant is returning to the streets of Cranbrook for another round of mischievous fun next month.
The second annual Ed Fest runs Sept. 6 to 7 in Rotary Park, with a giant 16-foot elephant puppet as the official mascot.
"We are excited to bring Ed Fest back for another year of celebration and community engagement. This festival is a wonderful opportunity for people to come together, enjoy a variety of arts and entertainment, and support our ongoing efforts to enhance the arts and cultural landscape of Cranbrook," said Key City Theatre executive director Galen Olstead.
Ed was created last year by local artist Marcel Dou Roig, based on an elephant who became famous in 1926 after he escaped the travelling circus in Cranbrook and stampeded down Baker St. Puppet Ed will explore the downtown area on Sept. 7 at 1 p.m., recreating this notable historic event, and participants are encouraged to don carnival-themed costumes and journey alongside him.
The free festival will feature live performances from Leonard Sumner, Souls in Rhythm, Dernia Harvey Band and Tonye Aganaba.
Sumner is an Indigenous Anishinaabe artist who blends hip-hop, country, spoken word, and R&B, and uses his music to unearth injustice and the darker side of history.
Souls in Rhythm is a funk and soul band from Calgary whose latest single Bury My Body channels artists like Marvin Gaye and Curtis Mayfield.
Dernia Harvey Band is an award-winning Celtic rock group that gives traditional folk songs a modern edge, while Vancouver artist Tonye Aganaba's new album Something Comfortable, blends soulful vocals and jazzy sax.
Cranbrook Arts will be running a few workshops for attendees, including a group painting session, button-making, a colouring contest and plasticine sculpting.
Local Cranbrook artist Rico will be creating her signature one-line drawings — images drawn in one continuous stroke across a piece of paper.
"She does these accordion one-line drawings that are like six feet long and she folds the paper up and you can stretch it out. She'll do one pannel, stop, and then the next day she'll go on to the next pannel and continue that line. Each pannel is a chapter in the story," said Cranbrook Arts community engagement coordinator Monique Cudbertson.
There will be a lantern parade in the evening and attendees will be able to make their own lights on Friday from 4 to 6 p.m., just prior to the event.
Ed Fest is partnering with Cranbrook Farmer's Market to offer local crafts, and there will be a selection of food trucks and craft beer to choose from.
For more information and to see the full schedule of events, visit www.edfest.ca
