We survived 2020! 🎉

In the first few months of 2020, Wild Heart was projecting one of our BEST years to date! We were beginning to prep for summer festivals that would shut down City streets, food tours and long table dinners, live concerts in the park with local musicians, expanding our beloved 124 Grand Market, and more.

Instead of being devastated all of our hard work & 2020 dreams had been set on fire, our team pivoted to create new solutions and teamed up with community partners. We launched three new events (Al Fresco on 4th, Free Wheelin’ Food Truck Fest, and Park Street Project), moved Eats on 118 to an online/delivery model & presented the first Public Offering boxes that featured new and emerging food businesses. We launched a new branding campaign for Beverly Business Improvement Area, including a brand new website!

We brought back a few favorites, including the 124 Grand Market and the Edmonton Christmas Market!

Now, let’s take a look at some of the 2020 highlights!

124 Grand Market’s 9th Season on Market Street!

You may have noticed this season looked a bit different- Our team had to completely rethink the layout & processes of the market to adapt to new COVID policies that put safety at the forefront. Vendors were physically-distanced, barriers to secure central entry/exit points, increased sanitation, handled line management and limited capacity, asked all patrons to sanitize or wash hands before entering, and moved our programming online.

In the end, the 124 Grand Market successfully ran 39 incident-free markers in 2020! (aka- ALL Thursday and Sunday market combined!). We welcomed 50 new local businesses to the collective, 7 new volunteers to our dream team, and partnered with Allstars in the community, like Blackmore Real Estate, who helped our team on site!

Park street project

Wild Heart teamed up with Inglewood Community League and Alberta Culture Days to bring families together to help create a massive mural created by a local Indigenous artist Lance Cardinal! Find out more about Lance on our Meet the Artist feature.

Park Street Project brought together 77 folks (34 cohorts!) on a sunny day in September to enhance, beautify & bring people together in a covid-safe environment. We look forward to continuing working with local artists to make Edmonton more vibrant!

Al fresco on 4th

We are so excited to be working with the 104 Street Committee and the Downtown Business Association to bring a new downtown celebration that featured 30+ local makers, extended patios, food trucks, live music, and furry friends!

This summer celebration brought foot traffic back to 104 Street & helped support businesses on the street. We can’t wait for more sunny days back #on4th!

The Public Launched Public Offering Boxes

The Public helps to develop products and brands from concept to shelf. Part lab, part production facility, part venue, and gathering space, and part retail market, The Public will be the first facility of its kind in Alberta opening in Spring 2021!

As The Public is finishing up construction, we worked with micro-food businesses to bring together a variety of local boxes! In partnership with The Citadel Theatre and Varscona Theatre, we packed over 450 Holiday Boxes that supported 25 local food makers!

We are so grateful to those who supported our events, markets, and programs in 2020! This was a challenging year, but the support & positive from the community made all the difference.

We can’t wait to share what we have in store for 2021- It’s going to be a great year!

EDMONTON CHRISTMAS MARKET OPENING POSTPONED TO SATURDAY NOV 28, 2020

EDMONTON CHRISTMAS MARKET OPENING
POSTPONED TO SATURDAY

November 26, 2020
(EDMONTON)

Since 2012, Wild Heart Collective has operated public markets in Edmonton via the 124 Grand Market, Al Fresco on 104, K-Days, and the Edmonton Christmas Market (established in 2013). We have operated over 50 locations in the last season alone across Alberta, and pride ourselves on health and safety standards above and beyond those laid out for Alberta-Approved Farmers’ Markets for the protection of our patrons and vendors. 

Our production team of over 30 staff and volunteers, and over 100 rotating vendors consisting of Edmonton’s most exciting and inspired small makers and businesses have been building the annual Edmonton Christmas Market in the former Army & Navy building on Whyte Avenue. The core management team at Wild Heart Collective has worked in lockstep with our partners at Alberta Health Services, operating under stringent health protocol. Our capacity sits under 10% of what is set out by the Alberta Fire Code, masks are mandatory, and an on-site cleaning team is available to keep surfaces sanitized. We have been working around the clock since October, and were set to open Friday, November 27 at 3:00pm.

Thursday afternoon around 3:00pm, we received communication from an Alberta Health Services official informing us that as a “special event,” we are unable to continue operations under this week’s newest provincial restrictions. To allow more time to seek clarity on this instruction, we have made the decision to postpone our opening to Saturday November 28. 

As a licensed public market, we have operated locations around the city all summer with approval as an essential service from Alberta Health Services. We are confused and disappointed in this decision from the province, as we believe our mission aligns closely with the Ministry of Health and Premier’s Office priorities for public health and economic well-being. We are seeking further information from the offices of Opposition Leader and Edmonton-Strathcona MLA Rachel Notley, Minister of Health Tyler Shandro, Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw, and Premier Jason Kenney to understand further why public markets would be forced to close when we operate as a licensed market in an approved retail venue.

We were encouraged Wednesday night to see Premier Kenney’s remarks, in which he stated “this government made, I think a grave mistake in the spring when we made a stupidly arbitrary distinction between essential and not essential retail businesses, that had the unintended consequence of allowing Walmarts and Costcos to sell darn near everything because they have a grocery section or they sell pharmaceuticals, while shutting down thousands and thousands of small-and medium-sized retail businesses.”

We have over 100 food, clothing, and health + fitness micro and small businesses who experience a make-or-break portion of their annual revenue in the holidays. If we are not permitted to open this month, Edmonton’s makers, inventors, and entrepreneurs will suffer another devastating blow to the benefit of large-scale chain business. We believe this would be - to use our Premier’s words - another grave mistake, with irreversible consequences.

Further details about our opening will be made available as we learn more from the various political and medical offices about our status as an essential service for Edmontonians.

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To schedule interviews with Wild Heart Collective owner and operator, Kirsta Franke please contact Communications Manager Riane Allen at hello@wearewildheart.com.

Park Street Projects

Update October 5, 2020:
We are SO HUMBLED by the support that the very first Park Street Projects received during Alberta Culture Days last month!

We had 77 folks (in 34 cohorts!) come out to help complete the beautiful mural (Asesin) that was designed by Lance Cardinal.

We will be keeping folks posted on when the final project will be mounted in its permanent home at the Inglewood Community League…stay tuned to your emails to be invited to the unveiling ceremony!

Check out our photo gallery of the day (including the finished masterpiece) If you have any photos of the day you would like to share with us, please tag us @wildheart_yeg on social media and use the hashtag #ParkSTProjects!

Thanks again to our Sponsors, our community, and to Lance for making Park Street Projects a success!

Sincerely-

Park Street Projects

PS-did you attend this or other Alberta Culture Days events? They would love to hear from you! Feedback survey is linked here.

Park Street Projects, supported by Alberta Culture Days is a collaborative mural project coming to Inglewood on September 25-27, 2020.

Lance Cardinal, a local Indigenous Artist will be working with the community to create a collaborative mural that will be on permanent display at the Inglewood Community Hall. Find out more about Lance on our Meet the Artist feature!

Lance just completed a gorgeous piece at the IKEA in Edmonton and he has done many art projects that focus on healing, Indigenous story-telling and providing a safe space to create happy memories for all, through art. The goal of this mural project is to bring both the Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities in Inglewood together to celebrate the Land, Mother Earth, and healing through a community participation mural.

Families and folks of all ages throughout Inglewood and area will have an opportunity to help create the mural on September 27, 2020 starting at 9 AM when we will be working on creating this piece of art in real time. Please note COVID procedures will be in place!

HOW YOU CAN PARTICIPATE:

1)      Help spread the word! We would love it if you would share this initiative with your friends and neighbours. Follow us on social media (Instagram, Twitter and Facebook) and use the #ParkSTProjects #ABCultureDays

2)     Sign up to help paint the mural! You can sign up for your spot to paint the mural online. Groups of 2-4 (and please schedule with those in your cohort) per panel at one time. Spots are from 9 AM-1 PM.

3)     Volunteer! We will need tons of help to bring this mural project to life. If you want to sign up for a Volunteer shift, we will have shifts starting Friday and Saturday (set up) to Sunday (mural day!) If you’re interested in volunteering please contact amy@wearewildheart.com

SIGN UP TO HELP CREATE OUR COMMUNITY MURAL!

Park Street Projects is a new initiative being spearheaded by Wild Heart Society for Vibrant Communities in support with Wild Heart Collective LTD., Inglewood Community League, Inglewood Revitalization and the City of Edmonton. The goal of Park Street Projects is to enhance, beautify and bring together communities and neighborhoods that run adjacent to historical Park Street (127 Street) in Edmonton through public art projects and activations.

This project is being supported by Alberta Culture Days and City of Edmonton. For more information visit www.culturedays.ca

Check out the future home of the first Park Street Project

Park Street Projects is an initiative that focuses on 4 pillars; community, activation, diligence, and honoring the land.

Park Street has a very traumatic history. Home to the Charles Camsell hospital which was in operation from 1945 to 1996. Park Street Projects acknowledges the history of this neighbourhood and use art initiatives to bring together the community in reconciliation and healing, creating a new feeling of unity for the Park Street Community and help with beautification efforts.

This project is truly the work of the community. Please visit our supporters who have made this mural possible!

DESTROY THE BOX CREATIVE
DAYS PAINTING SUPPLY
INGLEWOOD COMMUNITY LEAGUE
WILD HEART COLLECTIVE LTD.

Also supported by funding from Alberta Culture Days and City of Edmonton Revitalization Grants

Are you a business in the Crossroads BIA that wants to help with Park Street Projects? Sponsorship opportunities are available. Email amy@wearewildheart.com for more info!

Free Wheelin' Food Truck Fest at Kingsway!

We are partnering with Kingsway Mall once again to combine your favourite 124 Grand Market & the best of Edmonton’s food trucks! On Friday, September 25, 2020 from 4-8 PM, drive, roll or bike your butts down to enjoy a tasty dinner out!

You will be able to walk into the Food Truck area for FREE near the Shoppers Drug Mart. Please sanitize your hands upon entry & socially distance while you grab & go your meal!

THE TRUCKS:
Calle Mexico
Coast Lunch Box
Guilt Free Eats
Hotdog Hustlin’
Sir Winston’s Fish & Chips
Halo Churros
Soysal Scoops
Drift Food Truck
Jackie O’s
Sheeba’s Street Feed

THE RULES:
* Please sanitize your hands upon entry (we will have sanitizer provided!)
* Grab & go only! For social distance & sanitary best practices, please take your meal to go!
* Menus are posted online (see below) so you can make your informed choice before you come out
* Bring tap where you can
* There are no washrooms on site

Kingsway Mall Hours:
MON-FRI 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
SAT 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
SUN 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Make sure you check out Kingsway’s Health and Safety Protocols as well as their list of open retailers so you can plan your trip before you come!

DIRECTIONS AND BEST PRACTICE:

*Enter the Kingsway Parking lot (11225 109 Street) by heading NORTHBOUND on 109 and turning RIGHT at lights on 113 Avenue. You will take the next LEFT to pass the main doors and head straight towards Shoppers Drug Mart. Please park in the appropriate stalls and walk to the Entrance near Shoppers main doors.

Click HERE for visual directions!

You will see a friendly staffer at the entrance to guide you & sanitize your hands!

*Decide what truck you want ahead of time, as we will be queuing you up appropriately. If you want to visit more than one truck, please do so!

Check out the menus!

Take a look at all the menus through our google link below!

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1dyreXxP80uPnMrR_E-mjy8wyYMisvCzn?usp=sharing

We will be accepting donations to the Edmonton Foodbank, so bring some non-perishables with you! See you on Friday, September 25th!

Wild Heart Collective Announcement - March 17, 2020

There have been many questions being asked about the fate of this upcoming season. During these uncertain times, we are doing the best we can with the knowledge we have. In short, we are optimistic in proceeding with business as usual. Our hope is that the preventative measures being taken by our governments (municipal, provincial and nationwide) and community social-distancing will flatten the curve and allow us to manage this pandemic appropriately and efficiently. We support the measures that have been taken thus far. 

While we are taking internal precautions along with the rest of the world (our offices are currently closed to the public), our staff is still working hard to proceed with the market and event season as scheduled. Our work will continue. 

This situation is changing daily, and we are taking in information the same as everyone else. In the event we will be unable to proceed with our event season, contingency plans are being discussed and created as we speak in hopes to be able to adapt to the changing climate. We will do our best to stay transparent, pragmatic and measured. 

We are still accepting applications to the 124 Grand Market and our other client events, and will be extending our deadlines to accommodate the changing needs of partners. We have decreased the 124 Grand Market application deposit to $100. We will continue featuring community and vendor events online. We are re-working social media, communications and marketing strategies to accommodate the changing needs of our clients in this dynamic climate. Supporting local businesses is critical at this time. Please mention @124grandmarket or @wildheart_yeg if you would like us to promote any content you will be featuring over the next few weeks. In the meantime- check out Carrboro Farmers’ Market to see what they’re doing differently to prioritize health and safety while being accessible to the community!

We recognize the strain local businesses must be feeling by these trying times. We feel for you as our small business is directly affected if we are unable to execute our own internal events and client events. Wild Heart Collective is more than a small business- we are a community. And community is exactly what we need right now. We want to work together, collaborate, support and uplift our vendors, clients, and partners.

Wild Heart Collective isn’t just in the special event industry- with over 30 years of experience in marketing and business development we are passionate to work with small to medium-sized businesses that are looking for long-term sustainable solutions. Our marketing expertise includes social media packages, public relations, communications management, copywriting and content creation. We have worked with businesses across Alberta to create, develop and implement successful brand strategies to increase awareness and captivate your audience.

We work for what works best for you.

Wild Heart Collective is here to support you by making your businesses accessible and visible through our communication platforms and strategies. Through re-sharing your posts in our social media channels to working with you to better connect and support your audience during this time. It isn’t hard to get lost in the COVID-19 panic-driven media content, but people need to see more of what fosters our communities - you.

There has been a lot of talk about how we can support small businesses in these unprecedented times (and have the means). Supporting our community is more important than ever. Buy a gift card, order online, purchase merch or pieces or art from local musicians or artists. Choose local when purchasing your groceries or other supplies.

How can you support a businesses like ours? Continue to support those who work with us. Support our events (when the time comes and it is safe to do so). If you or someone you know needs any other small businesses development, marketing, or content creation, hit us up!

Help us stay busy during these trying times. Remember- we are all in this togethers. And YOU’RE DOING GOOD!

With appropriate, socially distanced air-high fives-

WHC Team

Kirsta, Amy, Sam, Riane, Bert, & Quinn