And the entries that received the most votes in the Edmonton Stories Just for Kids Contest are:

In the 6-8 year old category
Ela Naidoo wins a $200 gift card from Toys R Us

I LOVE CANADA DAY IN EDMONTON

My favourite thing is Canada Day in Edmonton. It is full of fun and interesting activities. This year my day started with hanging a Canadian flag in our front yard. Our neighbors stopped to say it was great to see it being displayed.

At eleven AM I went downtown with my family for more activities.  We started at the Alberta Art Gallery. We made our own flag and in the play room there is a stage that when you can take steps to make different sounds; there are puzzles and some hard origami for kids.  We looked at all the paintings, sculptures, and photography. The last thing we did was go to the roof top patio to overlook the city centre.

On to Churchill Square to try some different foods. We had Thai vermicelli noodles. The bowl was big and yummy. It started to rain and then it was pouring.  We went under an umbrella. It was fun watching the pouring rain.

Our next stop was City Hall. Someone is knitting a scarf that is about 50 feet long.  It was interesting how every 12 inches she marked the dates going back over a year. It was cool how it was made by hand with lots of colours. Also there was an 8 year old girl playing the violin with her mom and dad on guitar. She was an amazing performer.

That night we drove to the High Level bridge to watch the fireworks – awesome and the best ever in Edmonton. The fireworks are my favourite because they appear above my head and explode close to my face! I enjoyed the fireworks because there were lots of people, they are beautiful, and lasted about 15 minutes.  Next summer I want to canoe the river!

In the 9 – 11 year old category
Rebecca Evans wins a $200 gift card from Toys R Us

Hi, my name is Rebecca Evans. I am nine years old. I live in Edmonton with my mom and my brother. He’s seven.  The first thing that I love about the city I live in is my brownie troop. We went camping in the Telus World of Science last year, and we sold lots and lots cookies! At brownies we learn to be kind to others and make new friends for life. Next year I get to be a Girl Guide!!  In the summer it gets really hot. Good thing Edmonton has lots of swimming pools!! In downtown 

Edmonton there are five pools to swim in at the Alberta Legislative park. That’s my favorite place to swim, and my mom’s favorite place to read. Sometimes when we are done swimming, my mom takes us for a walk across the High Level Bridge. My brother loves looking down over top of the river. I love going to Whyte ave with my mom too. She takes us to Coney Island Candy Store. There are so many treats its hard to pick just one, so sometimes we get to pick two! In the winter time there is a skating rink down the street from my house. Its so close that me and my brother can walk there in our skates. Once a hockey player from the Oilers was there skating too but we didn’t get there in time to play hockey with him. At my school we go on a field trip every year to Snow Valley and we get to spend the whole day skiing. It’s really fun.  I really love Edmonton because there is so much to do here, and this year I’m going to the Folk Fest for the first time! I think I will love that too!

In the 12 – 14 year old category
Katherine Archibald wins a $200 gift card from Best Buy

“That was such a nice supper!” Mom exclaims as she shuts the car door and does up her seatbelt. I nod my head in agreement, savoring the aftertaste of pizza from Capital Pizza – our preferred place of dining.

 “You know,” Mom begins, turning to me with a knowing smile on her face. “It feels a little early to go home. Do you want to cruise around for a while?”

 “Sure!” I chirp. Leisurely driving around Edmonton with my mother is my favorite thing to do. “Where should we go?”

“Hmm…” Mom ponders. I don’t blame her for having to think about her answer instead of replying immediately. Our destinations consist of many places – we commonly visit Downtown and Whyte Avenue to see Canada’s Festival City in action, often scouting out new restaurants to try and new things to do. Transporting me to my riding lessons at Whitemud Equine Centre every Monday is a satisfying cruise in itself – we drive across the North Saskatchewan River and into the enchanting River Valley to get a taste of country life in the heart of an urban city.

All in all, the most valuable part of these small car trips is the quality time I receive with my mother. I believe that these car rides have contributed a vast amount in the bond between my mother and I – it gives us the opportunity to talk about my friends, my extracurricular activities, my dreams, and my life in general. I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to discuss what matters to me with her.

 “How about Downtown?” Mom finally answers after great consideration.

 “Okay!” I agree as we pull out of our parking space. Within minutes, we driving southbound on 97th street and beginning one of our many enjoyable car rides.

All in all, the most valuable part of these small car trips is the quality time I receive with my mother. I believe that these car rides have contributed a vast amount in the bond between my mother and I – it gives us the opportunity to talk about my friends, my extracurricular activities, my dreams, and my life in general. I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to discuss what matters to me with her.

 “How about Downtown?” Mom finally answers after great consideration.

 “Okay!” I agree as we pull out of our parking space. Within minutes, we driving southbound on 97th street and beginning one of our many enjoyable car rides.

In the 15 – 17 year old category
Kathena Lin wins a $200 Best Buy gift card

Every summer I hope to hear a twinkling melody floating into my house. The song that beckons to me... the song of the ice cream truck. The sight of the little truck brings joy to me instantly. But before joy, hardships may come first. If you are unlucky, the ice cream truck will have already passed you by and have been well on its way. In this scenario, you choose own destiny. Do you give up, or pursue? This video is about  the treacherous journey to the ice cream truck.

Edmonton Stories and the City of Edmonton do not condone jaywalking and we encourage everyone to stay safe at all times.

Thank you to all the kids who entered.