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]]

Vivid, cartoon-style illustrations cover the walls of the four theme party rooms at Kidz Quarterz, where sea animals look out from deep blue depths and woodland creatures peer around trees. However, partygoers don’t spend all their time in these rooms; instead they roam throughout the indoor facility, careening down a slide or crawling through tunnels. They hone hand-eye coordination with classic games in the arcade, where they earn tickets to trade in for prizes or to sew together to make a quilt. Toddlers play safely in their own exclusive soft-surface area, and families can refuel in the restaurant.

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.

At Sherwood Bowl, families and friends join in friendly competition, sending balls down one of 16 lanes in games of five-pin bowling. Computerized scoring keeps the math easy while boosting the computer’s sense of superiority, and a snack bar keeps bowlers’ energy levels high. Adults can also maintain hops levels with a Big Rock beer, such as the Grasshopper or Traditional Ale. In between bouts of bowling, guests keep the competition going at pool tables or while away the hours at challenging arcade games. The alley also welcomes bowlers of all ages to join a league and compete, or drop in during regular Glow Bowl sessions to experience the game as the ancient Martians intended it.

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.