edmonton Archives • The Bliss Movement

The Devonian Gardens Of Devon, Alberta

This might sound like a repeat post, like you've read the name Devonian Gardens somewhere around here before. And you did, right here. But there are two Devonian Gardens in Alberta, apparently. One nestled on the top floor of a shopping mall (which is a great escape from the winter blues) and one that is located just outside of Devon, AB that greatly exceeds the size of the one I've previously talked about. The Devonian Botanical Gardens have been around since 1959 and cover a whopping 240 acres. Whether you prefer flowers or plants, a space that is polished and m[...]

Alberta, Canada

Edmonton’s Harry Potter Exhibition

"There was a lot more to magic, as Harry quickly found out, than waving your wand and saying a few funny words." -- J.K. Rowling I read each of the books at least five times, growing up with The Boy Who Lived and all of his magical friends. I waited eagerly outside of a packed theater on opening night of the movies. I participated in a Harry Potter book club in the fifth grade, proudly dressing up as Hermione Granger. I cried when Sirius, Dobby, Aragog, Dumbledore, Severus, and Fred died. *spoiler alert: if you want to attend the exhibit yourself, read this afte[...]

Alberta, Canada

Canadian Winter Festivals: Ice on Whyte

Ice on Whyte is an Edmonton-based winter festival where artists come together to develop some incredible pieces of art made entirely out of snow and ice. This year was the 10th annual Ice on Whyte Festival, located just off the popular and bustling Whyte Avenue, and the first one I had ever been to. Featuring beautiful ice sculptures crafted by artists from around the world, Ice on Whyte also offers family skating time, "frozen yoga", activities for children, entertainment, hot chocolate, sticks of maple syrup taffy on snow, ice carving competitions and more, with[...]