Things to Do in Sherwood Park

The Videodrome’s staff of true movie lovers celebrates the experience of browsing by organizing Blu-Ray and DVD sections by featured directors, film noir installments, literary adaptations, and employee favorites. The cinematic labyrinth houses an extensive selection ranging from new Hollywood blockbusters to cult rarities, while also featuring film classics and special-ordering elusive titles. Over the store’s 15-year existence, staffers have built relationships with loyal customers, gaining the trust necessary to recommend favorite movies or give amateur tax advice. Customers toss handfuls of complimentary popcorn into mouths while browsing, and can bring dogs into the store for companionship or assistance in choosing between Air Bud and Beethoven.

Artists of all ages add to their arsenals of artistic techniques and express themselves through brushwork at Brenda’s Paint Pot. In a studio stocked with a full spectrum of paints, glass-cutting equipment, and other ceramic supplies, patrons can decorate bisque figurines while a helpful staff is available for guidance. Craftspeople of all experience levels produce pigmented dishes and decorations in weekly glass-fusing classes, whereas jewellery-making workshops impart pendant construction strategies. Youngsters aged 3 and older can also take a break from herding skunks through a neighbour’s doggie door by attending artistic workshops, summer camps, or sessions that meld story time with ceramic painting.:m]]

Run by designer Jenna Herbut and her brother Chandler, also a designer, the fairs showcase the work of more than 140 Canadian artisans and designers at events Merge magazine has described as "the craft sale for the next generation." The laid-back emporium thrums with the energy of younger designers such as Wally & Roops, Kukubee Designs, and Nikki Babie as they enthusiastically promote their wares. Music serenades ears wandering between booths, and homemade creations from vendors such as Monkey Butter sate hunger with snacks that are as sweet and savoury as a love poem written in worcestershire sauce. In addition to vendors, there are live bands, food trucks, and a bar.

As an extension of her mission to improve designers' livelihoods, Jenna channels her background in marketing into a parallel venture Make It! University, which helps artisans hone their business models. Make It! has also partnered with Etsy, the online handicraft marketplace, to bolster their support for crafters.

The kinetic clashing of metal clubs and tiny orbs serenades guests as they enter The Quantum Golf & Vibrafit Studio’s indoor facility, where golfers recess for year-round, muscle-building fun. The Vibrafit studio jumpstarts sleepy systems with full-body vibration that activates muscles in an alternating pattern, which tones abs without tearing joints or fusing all muscles together into a single flexed bicep. Guests strap themselves into the oscillating machine, adjusting amplitude and motion before beginning to develop stronger, more flexible muscles. During private lessons, instructors scrutinize swings to develop customized advice and lesson plans. Expert staffers further hone nascent skills with numerous high-tech devices, including a virtual golf simulator and the Tomi putting-analysis system, which harnesses laser technology to measure eight different putting parameters and the varying cuteness of dimples on every golf ball.

More than 40 acres of downhill trails, some extending as long as a mile, traverse the tree-dappled slopes at Rabbit Hill Snow Resort. There are three terrain parks here, all filled with enough boxes, rails, tubes, and jumps to keep you shredding and flying through the air all day. To help visitors surmount trails ranging from green circles to double black diamonds, instructors lead one- to three-day private and group lessons and multiday skiing and snowboarding camps.

At Crankpots Ceramic Studio, fledgling artisans personalize pre-sculpted ceramic pieces with handprints, footprints, and a vibrant palette of paints. Located in Edmonton's historical Old Strathcona district, the intimate studio boasts an array of ready-to-paint bisques, including mugs, piggy banks, and decorative plates. Post-painting, the pieces are glazed and fired on-site by a breathy dragon. Pint-sized Picassos can celebrate their birthday with painting parties at Crankpots. For adults, the studio—which is open seven days a week—also hosts bridal showers, office parties, and singles nights for lonely statues.