Ed Fest begins today (Sept. 18), launching a two-day celebration marking 100 years since Cranbrook Ed’s famous escape. Now in its fourth year, the festival features family-friendly activities, arts and crafts, and live music.
In August 1926, the Sells-Floto Circus arrived in Cranbrook with dozens of acts, including elephants.
Shortly after the circus arrived, the elephants stampeded. Most were quickly captured, but one—Charlie Ed—remained on the loose.
Later renamed Cranbrook Ed, the elephant roamed Cranbrook and nearby areas for nearly a month before being captured.
Rewind Radio’s Kayla May will emcee both days, while Wild Country’s Arielle Leslie will join her on Friday.
All activities are free and take place at Rotary Park in Cranbrook.
Friday, Sept. 18
Activities
- 4–7 p.m. — Connected Community: Join a collaborative public art project that brings residents together, one tile at a time.
- 4–6 p.m. — Ed-Xchange: Visit the Cranbrook Arts booth to decorate an Ed, then share it with a friend or leave it on the “make and trade” shelf.
- 4–6 p.m. — Elephant Lanterns: Make an elephant lantern from a recycled milk jug.
Main Stage Performances
- 5:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. – Dean Smith Trio
- 5:45 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. – Cranbrook Community Dance with Dean Smith
- 6:45 p.m. to 6:55 p.m. – Cranbrook Community Theatre
- 7:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. – Kootenay Women’s Choir
- 8:05 p.m. to 8:20 p.m. – An Elephantastical Tale with Sioux Browning and Rico
- 8:20 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. – Lantern Parade with Kootenay Women’s Choir
- 8:45 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. – Lemon Bucket Orkestra
Saturday, Sept. 19
Activities
- 10 a.m.–2 p.m. — Connected Community
- 10 a.m.–2 p.m. — Ed Flags: Print an elephant on fabric for the 100 Years of Ed bunting.
- 10 a.m.–2 p.m. — Ed-Xchange
Main Stage Performances
- 10 a.m. — Zumba
- 11 a.m. — Kimberley Pipe Band
- Noon — Bohemian Misfits and the Ed Stampede
- 12:30 p.m. — Brass Roots Band
- 2 p.m. — Discover Circus
- 5:30 p.m. — Heather Gemmell
- 6:10 p.m. — Cara Luft and Cranbrook local Clayton Parsons of The Parsons
- 7:20 p.m. — Side Hustle
- 8:40 p.m. — My Son the Hurricane
For the full schedule and any updates, visit edfest.ca.
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