Events
Old Town gears up for 19th Ramble & Ride festival
'It's really an opportunity to showcase one of Yellowknife's most beloved neighbourhoods,' says organizer
Old Town’s Ramble & Ride festival has kicked off for the weekend, and with it, a number of local and visiting musicians and artists.
The event runs from Friday through Sunday.
Amber O’Reilly, the festival co-ordinator, shared a bit of what people can expect to find this weekend.
“We are looking forward to welcoming everyone down to Old Town, and there’s lots to check out for the whole family,” she said.
“This year, we’ve bumped up the kids content, so we’ve made an effort to include more children’s programming across the festival grounds. There is out usual Kids Zone, with bouncy castles, face painting, children’s entertainers, and a food truck.
“Of course, the entire vendor market has lots of arts and crafts and food options for the whole family.”
Ramble & Ride 18 in 2024 (Old Town Ramble and Ride Facebook page)
New this year, is a partnership with BACupNorth, the Black Advocacy Coalition, for an Emancipation Day celebration.
The event will see a foam party at Hank Koenen Park on Wiley Road, “so that will be a lot of fun,” said O’Reilly.
“It’s the first time we’ve tried this, and we look forward to seeing everyone’s reactions.”
Other new additions include a photography festival near the Wildcat Café, and art mural by Christopher Macmillan, and an NWT Mobile Arts gallery.
Ramble & Ride 18 in 2024 (Old Town Ramble and Ride Facebook page)
Ramble & Ride 18 in 2024 (Old Town Ramble and Ride Facebook page)
This will be the 19th year for the Old Town Ramble & Ride. O’Reilly explained that the initial drive behind the Festival was to gather the community over in Old Town, and that it’s become an important opportunity to showcase one of Yellowknife’s most beloved neighbourhoods, as well as its history.
O’Reilly explained that there will be multiple ways that people can get to the Festival. The City of Yellowknife will be providing free bus transit to Old Town on Saturday only.
“We do encourage folks to walk or cycle or wheel down to Old Town, and if people do wish to drive, we have secured the parking lots at Sir John and St Pat’s High Schools,” she said.
“We have Yellowknife Tours running a shuttle service back and forth from those parking lots to the welcome table of the Festival, which is at Hak’s Auto Body on Franklin.”
Parts of Franklin Avenue are also currently closed in Old Town due to a nearby construction project. Westbound traffic will need to use a detour that goes around School Draw. More information on transportation to the Festival can be found at oldtownyk.com.
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- The Festival’s 2025 newsletter.
