Edmonton Heritage Festival, Big Valley Jamboree cancelled after thunderstorm

The third and final day of the Edmonton Heritage Festival is cancelled after heavy rain damaged some of the pavilion tents in Borden Park overnight.

The festival announced the closure Monday morning, saying damage to electrical, propane and water infrastructure means it isn't safe for attendees.

A thunderstorm dumped rain across Edmonton for about six hours late Sunday and early Monday, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada. In total, up to 28 millimetres of rain fell — and after a hot, dry July, that much rain has the potential to cause localized flooding.

Robert Rohatyn, executive director of the Edmonton Heritage Festival Association, told CBC News that it's a difficult situation for the groups that participate in the event.

"They work really hard through the year to put this festival on ... and being local, not-for-profit groups themselves, it's an important fundraiser for those groups and to help them gather funds to to put on events within their community," he said.

"It's a drastic impact on them and, and it's very devastating. My heart certainly goes out to them."

Thousands of people attend the annual festival each year. It typically runs in the city's Hawrelak Park, but because of renovations closing the park until 2026, the festival has temporarily relocated to Borden Park.

Infrastructure crews will continue to assess the damage throughout the day, according to Rohatyn.

Big Valley Jamboree in Camrose, Alta., was also called off on Sunday night as a thunderstorm approached the festival grounds. Attendees had to leave before headliner Keith Urban took to the stage.