Edmonton’s Fringe Festival hopes to continue sustainability

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    Edmonton Fringe Fest, the largest Fringe festival in North America is back for its 44th year. After a huge call to sustain the festival, our Leo Cruzat spoke with the organizer on how they are still holding up.

    Edmonton’s International Fringe Festival will be back for the 44th year, with a new theme, Fringe Full of Stars.

    Despite needing to fundraise hundreds of thousands of dollars for the festival’s survival last year, the executive director says there is still a long way to go to support the fringe.

    Every summer, North America’s largest Fringe Festival fills Old Strathcona.

    With opportunities to perform for artists like Stephanie, who are glad to see, after difficult financial losses through the pandemic, the show will go on.

    “It’s a festival brought together by duct tape. We can make something out of nothing, but it feels good to be valued by the community and to be compensated for the work that we create,” said Stephanie.

    Megan Dart, the executive director of Edmonton Fringe Theatre, saying, “Our expenses have risen another 8.5 per cent this year, while our funding supports, for the most part, have remained fairly stagnant.”

    The festival has found creative ways to raise funds successfully, finding sponsors for thirty-five porta-potties.

    But organizers say, despite an increase in the number of monthly donors, they need to find more money. Saying they may need to cut their free shuttle services to and from the French Quarter during the August event.

    “We just simply don’t have the means for that this year. And now we are scrappy, and if we get those supports close to the festival, we’ll certainly reintroduce that really vital service,” said Dart.

    ATB Financial will be continuing its sponsorship, which will last until 2027.

    “ATB is the Lead Festival Partner of the Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival and has been for 12 years now. Our role is to help make things possible, and we are proud to help make Edmonton Fringe one of the province’s most beloved Festivals,” said Curtis Stange, President and CEO of ATB.

    Additionally, Sea Change Brewing Co. will be returning as the official and exclusive beer provider.

    “Sea Change and Fringe go together like a cold drink on a hot day. We are thrilled and proud to continue our partnership this year and to release a beer that perfectly fits the bill,” said Jamie McLean, Sea Change Brewing Co.

    The festival will have 223 shows in 40 venues, an increase from last year’s 215 shows in 38 venues.

    Tickets go on sale on August 6th and can be found on the Fringe Festival website, and the festival will run from Aug. 14 to 24.

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