1920s Midway & Exhibition
In the fall of 1879, Fort Edmonton became host to the first Edmonton Exhibition. As the Exhibition grew over the years, it became more and more "a cross section of life." (1) The Edmonton Exhibition came to represent many aspects of daily life-from agricultural and livestock livelihoods to the interactive, thrill-seeking human animals.
Due to the historically multifaceted nature of the exhibition and midway, the Foundation decided to recreate a typical 1920s Midway & Exhibition on 1920 Street in Fort Edmonton Park.
"The busy and noisy [Fort Edmonton Park] fairground, where one experiences the extravagant and exotic, will have an atmosphere heavily charged with excitement and magic." (2) The Midway focuses on the exhibition activities, sideshows, games of skill and rides. Colourful and amusing replica historic banners, as well as historically accurate entrance and exit gates, add to the Park visitor's immersion into this aspect of Edmonton's past. Then, the calliope music from the full-sized carousel truly enchants visitors young and old.
Phase I of the 1920s Midway & Exhibition:
- 1920s Carousel
- a high striker
- a vaudeville tent
- games of skill
- concession stands
Phase II of the Midway includes:
- the Exhibits Building
- a Ferris wheel
- juvenile carousel - coming 2008
- chair-o-plane ride
- site enhancements & decorations
The main floor of the Exhibits building houses public washrooms, a carousel horse carving workshop - an area designated for the creation and repair of the horses - a Midway gift shop and a party room.
Coupling the historically accurate sideshows and 'fair' type exhibits along with the amusement rides makes the 1920s Midway project both entertaining and educational. This project is the complete antithesis of the 'look, but don't touch' attitude of most museums.
Phase I (Carousel, Tents, and Midway Games) was completed in the spring of 2006. Phase II ( Exhibits Building, juvenile rides and Ferris Wheel) was completed in 2007.