What Happened to Klondike Days: K-Days, Capital Ex, and the Edmonton Exhibition - Edmontorial

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What does the "K" in K-Days stand for? The history is goes back over a century - and is a tough pill to swallow.
Klondike Days Edmonton was an annual fair which locals celebrated year after year. Why did they change the name? What were they thinking?!
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[@ClayBitner]

How amazing would it have been had they changed the Fantasyland Theme Park to a Klondike theme instead of the space theme we ended up with?

[@BestEdmontonMall]

Oh. My. God. You just blew my mind.

[@ClayBitner]

You should do a video on it! I'd watch it.

[@itriied5027]

And so would like 50 million others!

[@kaob2629]

I wish they had!!!

[@danielbissett-taylor4450]

As a former employee of Northlands, the sheer bullheadedness and stupidity that went on behind the scenes made the renaming of a beloved, long running festival both an unfortunate disappointment, but not an unforeseen one

[@pjimmbojimmbo1990]

Bad Management, very common in Alberta

[@mackthehackfraud5965]

Best Edmonton Mall is the greatest channel ever.

[@ron19ie]

Mack Meikle I mean....it's ok :P

[@rianhoyle1895]

i agree

[@sifq]

Agreed

[@lovelinendem3525]

I agree

[@iBryTV]

Growing up with Klondike Days I recall the city really embracing it - stores would have window paintings with Klondike themes. There would be Klondike Day pancake breakfasts hosted throughout the city. Klondike attire seen in various places from the parade and other events. Even Northlands had so much more. Northlands thought they had to change it because they themselves were becoming less relevant to the city and all they did was screw it up. K-Days as it is today is still Capital Ex. They need to go back and really fix things to when You could get “a whole lot of dun for five bucks”

[@brendonnashca]

I agree. It just doesn't feel the same without the unifying theme and other activities bringing the whole event together.

[@masteryoshi7121]

You are the best Edmonton youtuber ever!

[@vindelanda]

I loved gold panning as a kid! It looks like any other travelling exhibition now. I think kids still really enjoy the rides though.

[@sifq]

“Because no one likes to go to outdoor events in hot weather” 🤣

[@BestEdmontonMall]

🤷

[@cordellbasnett3037]

This channel deserves a lot more love for the hard work that is put into it

[@mjb995]

You've got a gift my friend when it comes to making these videos. Really capture old Edmonton perfectly. My new favorite channel.

[@crikey4336]

They should totally bring back the full Klondike Days theme, if not the full name... Sad to see just how deeply dug in a group can get when they refuse to recognize their initial premise was such a fail...

[@real_Pinoy]

I still have Klondike days coin at home with klondike mike on it from when i was a kid

[@northernspicedgaming]

Great job with the video! I honestly would have never thought there was such a rich history behind k-days. Also great that you used a bunch of statistics, as it helped make everything a lot more compelling.

[@hommie789]

You forgot the Edmonton Sunshine Girl dressed up in Klondike attire for the duration of the festival, usually to the shagrin of guys cause she was dressed for the 2 weeks.

[@Chloe-ke4eb]

I go to k-days every year since I was born it was a tradition in my family we would go with my whole family on my dads side and it was so fun but we couldn’t go this year because of COVID

[@itriied5027]

Honestly, your videos are so amazing. It's great to learn just that little bit more about our history that we never knew about! Thank you!

[@hudson5742]

When I watch your videos it’s awesome to learn about my favourite place on earth! (The only places outside of SK I’ve been we’re Edmonton) and it makes me feel welcome into the Edmonton community! Keep up the good work 👍

[@geoffreygiebelhaus9142]

Typical decision making in the Edmonton area aha. What a fail in name changing.

[@Lovethemusic385]

Dude, you're good at this. I live in Montreal, but often miss E-Town. Good research. An under-represented topic on KZbin, for sure.

[@bluetarantulaproductions6179]

I'm from Sherwood Park and I remember we used to have Medieval Days before Klondike Days opened up for the summer. My favorite ride regardless of fair ground will always be "The Gravitron"

[@ShadowGamer507]

Darn I wish there was a channel like you in Calgary, that told all these awesome stories about the history of the city. Great video as always, I only go to Edmonton once a year, mainly for WEM, but I still really enjoy all of your videos ;)

[@keithbouchard2007]

you could always become that calgary channel its great to learn the history of those kinds of things in calgarys past and then share them with the world its a positive way to keep yourself busy

[@kaob2629]

I’m glad it’s back to k-days but I wish they never changed it and that they still had the parade where you dress up. The parade was so much fun.

[@Chloe-ke4eb]

My family go every year since my brother was 3 he’s 20 now and I’ve been there every year since I was born I’m 13 but I’m so sad to hear they canceled again for 2021 but I get it COVID but I really miss not going to k days every year it was a fun time bonding with my family that’s when we go to the mall and school shop and go tok days all my fav things and I’m glad my parents said we can go next year

[@OVI-Wan-Kenobi-8]

Ever since the 1988 Winter Olympics, Edmonton has always seemed to have a bit of an identity crisis compared to Calgary.

[@bryonyperecat5954]

Since? Pretty sure it started before that (but then I was 11 when the Olympics happened)

[@danawick9817]

Thanks for the history lesson i remember as a kid wed get dressed up in klondike days attire. They actually sold it in stores leading up to k days. Our city councillors had and have no vision other than to destroy our past

[@szinyk]

lol love the sarcasm in this one. Still shake my head that Northlands changed the name (and got rid of the theme) for no good reason.

[@RollerRoxCos]

Edmonton: Edmonton expedition, nope 👎 Klondike days ,nope 👎 Capital EX , nope👎 K days ,sure why not Calgary: aww that’s cute

[@mikeappleyard1898]

"Changing the name from something popular to something ridiculous? Sounds like the people in charge were true Edmontonians" - Harvey The Hound

[@paula388]

When they switched the name to Capitol Ex, I honestly thought Klondike days were no more. I had no idea they just changed the name. Lol

[@rustedbrass7935]

When I was kid panning for gold was fun as hell

[@vgcancino]

They did the exact same thing here in Regina SK. The Ex was called Buffalo Days for ages with Buffalo Bill as the mascot but they changed the name to Queen City Ex. Some people still refer to it as Buffalo Days but I guess at least Queen City is the nickname of Regina vs Capital Ex which could be any capital. Maybe that's why our new name has stuck around. Here's a news article about it. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/regina-fair-drops-buffalo-days-theme-1.784021 PS I love your channel. I lived in Edmonton for a few years from 2006-2009 and still love to visit.

[@sugarfreerecovery4339]

Nail on the head, my friend.

[@thepurplehorse]

I visited the Yukon in 2006, the first year of the name change to Capital Ex. Everyone in Dawson City was confused as to why Edmonton would name a festival Klondike Days. Everything I've read said that the route to the Klondike fields advertised by Edmonton businessmen was treacherous - very few made it to the Yukon, many didn't make it out of the Alberta area, and most died. Edmonton simply wanted to make a quick buck off of prospectors, and ended up sending many to their grave. Sounds like a tragic thing to celebrate.

[@wclark3196]

not quite. Wasn't easy but 40% made it en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Klondike_Gold_Rush#All-Canadian_routes

[@kirbysuperstaruhh3769]

I used to live REALLY close to where kdays was being held and went there every summer until you-know-what hit! Also i remember on the last year of them using the capitalEx name they held an assembly in my school gym and held some sort of pep-rally type thing to promote the event or something lol

[@myhappyaccount8417]

I think not many people participates in the Klondike theme was because dressing up in 1800’s attire is much harder than putting on jeans and a flannel shirt for Calgary Stampede. But people get attached to names and themes, especially for annual events. I miss Klondike Days

[@michelleroy1]

Yes I think that they should change it back to Klondike Day instead of KDays because KDay doesn't even have a theme anymore

[@danawick9817]

I totally agree bring back klondike kate

[@CLooLoo]

The powers-that-be are doing their best to remove everything that made Edmonton unique and special and turn it into every other bland city. Klondike Days was so much fun when I was a kid. There used to be Klondike themed activities all over the city and a lot of people would dress in period clothes. It really brought people together to celebrate Edmonton’s history and have a good time. I wish they’d just suck up their pride and rename it Klondike Days again.

[@certifiedbruh2180]

What would you do for a Klondike Bar?

[@Subbacultcha100]

Well said. File this with City of Champions removal and other projects that will “finally put edmonton on the map”. A inferiority complex that this city needs to kick. Edmonton needs to embrace itself and it’s traditions. Bring back Klondike days.

[@usher2005ca]

What’s the website from 2005

[@aplam94]

I would love to dress up in old day costumes and go to Kdays

[@danawick9817]

We used to i kind of miss it actually. Guess the only thing for us to do to to protest would be to dress up again

[@amangill3154]

I used to go to kdays when I was younger till 1997

[@ryanlee2336]

Did you know that back in the day, they used to have learn about a foreign country them in the expo....it was awesome

[@danawick9817]

Oh i remember that that was awesome.

[@ryanlee2336]

Thank you! omg best times ever, when learning was actually fun

[@amangill3154]

I remember going to K-days when I was younger when it was called kolidike days

[@RiverAnimal]

They should have changed it to the “capital expensive”

[@discoballfantasy]

Wow. Why do you think so much of these things in Edmonton that were so focused on themes, particularly western historical ones, have been totally stripped away?

[@lauriepenner350]

To distance ourselves from Calgary, I assume. Cowboy hats? Rodeos? SO LAME.

[@gunther_hermann]

Hmmmm... Big Think. ;^)

[@amangill3154]

When I moved to Calgary

[@aznguy876]

I've always thought the name change was something to do with some sort of lawsuit with Klondike Bars. However, I always liked the idea of the Klondike theme, it celebrates our history and gives some identity. But I'll be fine with K days 🤷‍♂️

[@lancebyhette3472]

I just went thare yesterday

[@tinotse2007]

Capital EX. Was a joke. I mean why changed the name? Fortunately We call it as K- Days. I used to go there but as the years went on the price of Admission was terrible cause it never cheap ticket wise. Very expensive for a family of 4 or perhaps 5. It was simply ridiculous to say the least. IMO. if you want to go on rides or whatever. There,s always West - Ed. And it,s just me going alone at the time to K-Days. Not anymore. So glad it was raining all during the event. More rain. Less Heat. As i say.

[@UStolMyNameGiveItBak]

I could have sworn they changed the name to Capital Ex long before the mid 2000's. I moved away the spring of 2000 and I'm sure I went to Capital Ex the summer before that. I remember it was in the Capilano Mall parking lot (the mall was dying and had less than 30% occupancy rates at that time). People were so upset because it was less than half the size it had been in previous years, saying that it would be the first and last time they went to the new exhibition and that it would soon be nothing but a memory. 🤷

[@54321Judith]

I would like to see the name Klondike days put back again along with letting people dress up like in the Klondike ...having the competitions come back ....of who had the best costumes ...they even had dances where people could buy drinks at the bar and go dancing to live bands love to see some of The fun brought back to Klondike days! I would also like to see the entrance fee dropped to half price!?

[@sturtle3533]

I was at k days on Monday :D

[@onewhitedude]

Me too!

[@juliepoirier1320]

Calgary Stampede is still better. Can't beat the 'Pede! 🤠✌🏼 Love your channel! 🤗

[@patriciaheeks3790]

It should have never been changed from Klondike Days it will always be Klondike Days to me

[@jessymode]

to me it seemed like the price changed when they changed the name it was just a way to say hey we can charge more money cause we seem like we did something different

[@blueodin0946]

I remember capital ex

[@jimbogymbo6710]

K days sound like a big sale at Kmart.

[@samanthamonaghan7579]

I call my refrigerator a fridge, should I ask at the appliance store for one of those cool F boxes.

[@Zerodghjj]

I haven't been to the K-Day aka the Ex aka the Grounds since 1988. But when I did go it was the happiest place on earth. Sorry, Walt. You might be asking why on earth have you been lately? Are you in prison? Are you dead and if you are there dogs there? No to both of those questions. The reason is I no longer live in Edmonton I have can back once and a while but alas the afore mention event wasn't on at the time. I mean I only live 3.5 hours away yes that 3.5 hours away. Over the years I think maybe I'll get on the bike and head up just go to K-days one more time for old time sake. Or should I? Or should I just have the good memories from my youth and let's face it I become more cynical and lost my childlike wonder for panning for gold or a ride on the train that burnt coal which I still can smell today. Hmmm, I guess I should really wash that jacket.lol. Yes, perhaps I will go to find what I've missed all those years. So I might just see you there.

[@Maleboligia]

Been to many k days but not one Stampede. No real desire to go to either one anymore, k days is a shadow of what it was.

[@plantboy100]

it suck that's what happened and got to be so expensive no one can afford to go

[@Bopig]

It never made sense why they changed the name to Capital Ex and I find it pretty rude of them to assume the "vast majority" doesn't want the K-days name when it's quite obvious everyone was happy with it.

[@jacobnamod3034]

still mad they butched klondike days.... sigh, a golden memory like the old days.... but yeah K-days works now with the modern generation, and explaining it is a short story to the kids who might care :).

[@songsabai3794]

The 'K' is actually code for 'Cro-Magnons' .....spend 10-days at this event and I guarantee you your view of humanity will be profoundly changed.

[@depressedbreakfast2614]

All the rides in k-days are designed to make you dizzy and for someone who has chronic headaches it kinda sucks

[@depressedbreakfast2614]

I went to the Calgary stampede once and it was HEAVILY raining with a ton of hail for most of the day 🤦‍♂️

[@tinotse2007]

@@depressedbreakfast2614 Same with Edmonton. Lots of Rain. Less Hail.

[@Poonanislay]

Looks awfully a lot like the Calgary stampede.

[@steve.n]

Did you just say no event is like k-days? Stampede?

[@nene3857]

I STILL call it "The Ex"

[@wclark3196]

Those marketers missed the boat. So many better names than CapitalEX: ShitFest Sunburn Days Twirl and Puke-o-Rama Just Stay Home I remember as a teen who had been dragged to Edmonton, thinking that the Klondike theme was dumb, but at least it was a theme. And it was better than Calgary's theme, though Calgary had it easier because dressing up for the Stampede was just people putting on stuff they already owned. Klondike Days meant at least clothing that you didn't wear any other time.

[@Oniqueen]

Keep the londike in K-Days.

[@hateUmankind]

hate capital Ex Day to K-days I really miss the Klondike Days

[@real_Pinoy]

Me as well i miss the old Klondike days it was more fun and not overpriced like it is now

[@brendonnashca]

K-Days, you wanna go? Meh, K, I guess so.

[@danawick9817]

Well never beat Calgary Stampede people from all over the world go there . I went once that was enough

[@sugarfreerecovery4339]

I was so pissed when they changed the name. I hate the letter 'X' and everything it stands for.

[@PerAllwin1963]

Whoever came up with the name Capital Ex and took away the Klondike theme was a real moron. Then it came back as K-Days?? Klondike Days was at its best when it had the Klondike theme and the rides were run by the Royal American Midway.

[@marksaulnier2222]

Government ruins everything

[@lauriepenner350]

The Klondike Days theme was one of those weird quirks that nobody "gets" unless they're from Edmonton. It made no sense but it made things interesting. Personally I was sorry to see it go, even if our whole connection to the Klondike is "Some dudes stopped here for a cup of coffee and some Slim Jims on their way to the Gold Rush". Imagine if Anaheim had a festival called Disneyland Days.

[@wntjst]

Capital Ex was probably the worst possible name picked by the civic geniuses of the time!

[@MiloMilo-ec5uq]

They city of edmonton planners are the worst in the country. I don't know how where they grew up.

[@Chrisjbennett89]

As a calgarian i don't like stampeed; people turn into drunken jerks and its too much. I like the klondike theme better. Also not a fan of rodeo or cowboy theme.

[@brummytoo]

the racket in the background did nothing for me!