. lilac festival

With the 22nd annual 4th Street Lilac Festival happening on May 29, 2011, participants will be delighted with the diverse exhibition of music, vendors, food, and entertainment.  Regardless of age or taste, Calgary’s best free festival voted by FFWD (Calgary's News and Entertainment Weekly) for the past twelve years, has something for everyone.

Non-stop music and entertainment will get bodies moving with over six stages and 42 unique musical and dance groups, and various street performers.  A parade with local entries kicks off the all-ages bash, spanning from 25th avenue to 13th avenue.

Everyone from the shopaholics to those with slightly more frugal tendencies will be inclined to indulge with over 600 craft, food, and clothing vendors along the 13 blocks of the festival. Take the opportunity to support local artists while picking up some eclectic items that will not likely be found anywhere else.  Restaurants lining the streets will also be selling tastes of their menus, allowing a sampling of some of the best food Calgary has to offer.

The festival is a celebration of the blooming of the lilac flower, as the date is harmonious with the time that the flower is most colourful and aromatic.  Despite less then favourable weather conditions the past year, it was estimated that over 125,000 Calgarians enjoyed all the exquisite sights, sounds, and tastes the festival delivers.