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PSA – Ring in 2018 at the New Year’s Eve Downtown Festival & Fireworks

Press Release

December 20, 2017

Celebrate the arrival of 2018 at the Alberta Legislature, as we wrap up the year-long celebration of Canada’s 150th anniversary.

This fun-filled, alcohol-free, family-friendly event has something for everyone!

Date: Sunday, December 31, 2017
Time: Family-friendly activities: 6 – 9 p.m. Fireworks: 9 p.m.
Location: Federal Building (9820–107 Street), Visitor Centre and Federal Plaza
Admission: Free

6 to 9 p.m.: Join the fun inside the Federal Building for activities the whole family can enjoy, including music, comedians, magicians, jugglers, games, glitter tattoos, and much more! The celebration continues outdoors on the Federal Plaza with main stage performances featuring the band Rule of Nines, hayrides, ice carving, fire pits, and bannock-making.

The Federal Building hours of operation and programming have been extended so that guests can enjoy the Legislative Assembly Visitor Centre, which is home to the Agora Interpretive Centre, Alberta Branded, the Borealis Gallery and the Pehonan Theatre.

Food trucks will be located on 99 Avenue, between 107 Street and 109 Street, for those wishing to purchase snacks.

8:50 to 9:12 p.m.: Join Mayor Don Iveson and Premier Rachel Notley for the countdown and fireworks show!

FIREWORKS VIEWING AREAS
The best fireworks viewing locations are from the Federal Plaza and in front (north side) of the Alberta Legislature.

High winds or severe weather may result in the cancellation of some outdoor activities. Call 311 for the most up-to-date event information.

FIREWORKS LIVE STREAMING
Join us at Facebook.com/cityofedmonton to watch the fireworks on your computer or mobile device.

ROAD CLOSURES
The following road closures will be in effect from December 31, 2017 until the end of the event:

Noon:

  • Full closure of 99 Avenue, from 107 Street to 109 Street
  • Full closure of 108 Street, north of the 99 Avenue intersection
4 p.m.:
  • Full closure of 106 Street, from 96 Avenue to 97 Avenue
  • Full closure of 96 Avenue, from 105 Street to 107 Street. (Access to the alley will be available to local residents.)
  • Full closure of Fortway Drive, north of the Royal Glenora Club
  • Northbound single lane closure on 109 Street, south of 99 Avenue
  • Full closure of 107 Street, from 96 Avenue to 99 Avenue
  • Full closure of the Terrace Building access off of River Valley Road
For more road closure information, visit edmonton.ca/SpecialEventRoadClosures.
PARKING
A number of parking restrictions will be in effect on New Year’s Eve. Please obey all signage, as tag and tow will be in effect.
PEDESTRIAN DETOURS
To ensure public safety, the fireworks safety perimeter will be closed at 7 p.m. with no access between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Various multi-use trail and sidewalk closures will be in effect.
SKATING RINK CLOSURE
For safety reasons, the south skating rink on the Alberta Legislature Grounds will be closed to the public starting at 4 p.m., as it is within the fireworks fallout area.
FREE NEW YEAR’S EVE BUS & LRT SERVICE
Take transit to and from your New Year’s Eve celebrations. Free ETS service starts at 5 p.m. on December 31 until 3:30 a.m. on January 1 (until 2 a.m. for DATS).
Donations collected in ETS fare boxes during this time will be given to DONATE A RIDE.
Note: Route 599 (Edmonton Garrison) and Route 747 to the Edmonton International Airport are not part of the New Year’s free service.
Additional service will be available for LRT and some bus routes. Late Night Owl service is also available until 3 a.m.
Last Capital Line trains depart Century Park and Clareview at 3:10 a.m. Last Metro Line trains depart Health Sciences at 2:42 a.m. and NAIT at 3:03 a.m.
Enjoy celebrations longer by tracking your bus anywhere, anytime with real-time tools.
FREE ETS SHUTTLE SERVICE
Starting at 5 p.m. on December 31, ETS will be running a free shuttle service from 102 Avenue and 100 Street southbound to Government Centre Transit Centre, and will stop at all bus stops along Jasper Avenue. Starting at 5 p.m., additional service will be provided on Routes 1, 5, 8 and 9, which travel to and from downtown.
After the fireworks, ETS buses will be staged at Government Centre and at 109 Street and 99 Avenue to assist event-goers to get home safely.
Transit users can also take the LRT to and from Grandin Station to view the fireworks.
For more information about New Year’s Eve service, visit takeETS.com/news.

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