What’s On in Edmonton in August

• To date, 74.3% of Albertans aged 12 and older have received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 56.5% of Albertans aged 12 and older have received both doses.
• Alberta’s move to stage three gives its residents the opportunity to explore their surroundings, attend events, and socialize with others again.
• Now may be a good time to review your car insurance policy and coverages, especially if you suspended your road coverage during the pandemic.

Alberta’s ‘Open for Summer Plan’ moved to stage three on July 1st, meaning almost all its public health measures meant to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus were lifted.

Isolation and quarantine rules remain, as does the requirement to wear a mask in health care facilities and on public transit, though some municipalities and businesses may still have masking requirements also.

Otherwise, indoor and outdoor social gatherings, business closures and capacity restrictions, and large events such as concerts, sporting events, and festivals are no longer subject to any provincial restrictions.

To date, 74.3% of Albertans aged 12 and older have received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 56.5% of Albertans aged 12 and older have received both doses.

Alberta’s move to stage three gives its residents the opportunity to explore their surroundings, attend events, and socialize with others again. Which begs the question, what’s happening in Edmonton in August that you and your family might want to do?

If you’re planning a local or provincial road trip, here are a few things taking place in the City of Edmonton in August to explore:

• Eats on 118th. Foodies and hungry families can eat and drink their way along Alberta Avenue (118th Avenue) on August 4 and 18 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Hosts will guide guests and make stops at three curated restaurants to indulge in Alberta Avenue’s best signature dishes while learning the story behind the restaurants, and experience the culture behind the food.
• Edmonton Fringe Festival. Organized annually by the Edmonton Fringe, the Edmonton Fringe Festival runs from August 12 to 22. Theatre lovers can experience a cultural blast of more than 1,200 live performances across some of the city’s most iconic landmarks.
• Cariwest 2021. Edmonton’s largest annual celebration of Caribbean music and culture takes place from August 6 to 8 in Sir Winston Churchill Square in downtown Edmonton and includes a parade along Jasper Avenue. Hear performances by Alberta’s top Soca and Reggae artists and more. This all-ages event is free to attend.
• Expedition: Dinosaur. Running now until September 5 at the Telus World of Science, travel back in time and be immersed in pre-historic landscape, surrounded by lifelike dinosaurs. Suitable for all ages, visitors can walk the path of paleontologists and archeologists, discovering interactive cabinets filled with excavation artifacts and fossils.

What to do before taking to the open road

If you’re planning to attend an event in Edmonton in August, take your time behind the wheel, and keep these tips in mind:

• Have car-related documents on hand. Always have your driver’s licence, insurance documents, vehicle ownership, and registration with you whenever you drive.
• Put on a seatbelt. Wearing a seatbelt saves lives, and yet, a lot of folks drive or ride in a vehicle without wearing one. Make sure you and your passengers always buckle up.
• Be a courteous, safe driver. Don’t drive aggressively, adhere to safe driving principles, and always obey the speed limit.
• Watch for emergency vehicles. Slow down and move over when emergency vehicles have their flashing lights on and need to pass you.
• Pay attention. Distracted driving is one of the most dangerous things you can do while driving. Resist the temptation to fiddle with a mobile device and stay focused on the road.
• Arrive alive. Never consume alcohol or cannabis before driving. A driving while impaired conviction on your driving record will spike your premium for at least three years.

Get a car insurance checkup

Now may be a good time to review your car insurance policy and coverages, especially if you suspended your road coverage during the pandemic. If you did, contact your broker or insurer and let them know you intend to take to the road before motoring away, or you may be driving without insurance.

Let’s face it; car insurance can be expensive. But you can do something about it: Find an auto policy that suits your needs and budget by comparing policies and premiums from a broad range of insurers for free.