70+ Youth, One Festival and a Lot to Celebrate

Before thousands of people could enjoy another summer at Taste of Edmonton, there was work to do. Spaces needed to be set up. Festival areas needed to stay clean. Teams needed extra hands. 

And this summer, more than 70 young people stepped up to help. 

Through BGCBigs’ Youth Employment programs, youth took on jobs in festival Set-Up and Waste Management at Taste of Edmonton, allowing them to work alongside one another, get valuable hands-on job experience and play a hands-on role in one of Edmonton’s signature summer events. 

 

Showing Up and Getting the Job Done 

Not every job at a festival happens on a stage. Some of the most important work happens behind the scenes. 

Our youth helped prepare festival spaces and supported Waste Management efforts to help keep the grounds free of debris and trash, so that thousands of guests could enjoy the grounds.  

They worked through long days, changing weather and the everyday challenges that come with a busy festival; showing up every day to work together and help one another.  They learned on the job. They brought some personality to their shifts. And they got the work done. That deserved a celebration. 

Celebrating the People Behind the Work 

Following this year’s festival, youth were recognized through the 2026 BGCBigs’ Taste of Edmonton Volunteer Awards. 

The awards weren’t only about who worked the most hours. They celebrated the different qualities youth brought to the experience—positivity, determination, reliability, teamwork and a willingness to help someone else when they needed it.  

Among this year’s recipients was Gurmannatpreet Kaur, who received the Rookie of the Year Award.  

The award recognizes someone new to BGCBigs and the Taste of Edmonton volunteer team who arrived with a positive attitude, was ready to work and was willing to lend a helping hand to fellow volunteers.  

Other youth were recognized for everything from keeping spirits high during difficult conditions, to stepping up for additional work,  or helping teammates and showing incredible determination to get the job done—even when it wasn’t glamorous to do so.  

Congratulations to our award winners and to all of the youth volunteers who dedicated their time and effort this year. Festivals as big as Taste of Edmonton simply wouldn’t be possible without many, many volunteers willing to keep the event safe and keep the grounds clean. 

More Than a Festival Shift 

For BGCBigs, opportunities like Taste of Edmonton are about more than filling volunteer shifts. They give young people a chance to contribute to the city they call home, work as part of a team, take on responsibility and discover what they’re capable of. 

And sometimes, the best way to learn how you can make a difference in your community is to be allowed to do so. 

To all 70+ youth who showed up this summer: Thank you!  Whether you set something up, cleaned something up, helped a teammate or kept everyone laughing through a long shift, you were part of making Taste of Edmonton happen.  And that’s something worth celebrating.