2024 Riverfront Town Square
The Riverfront Town Square is pedestrian-oriented and located in the heart of downtown Whitehorse. Starting on July 1 to September 1, 2024, every Tuesday and Saturday, the riverfront and wharf will transform into a vibrant hub for people to eat, drink, socialize and shop. This area will be programmed for a market, concerts and artist workshops to activate the waterfront and draw people towards the Downtown core.
The unique combination of pop-up vendors, food trucks, live music and artist workshops will make it an exciting destination for both locals and visitors alike. More importantly, this project intends to not only support local small businesses and food vendors, but also increase foot traffic to the riverfront to boost business in the surrounding areas.
Created by: NCES artists, with the support of Ken Anderson
The community art-making event took place at the end of Adäka Cultural Festival, acting as a prelude to the launch of the Riverfront Town Square. Youth and the public were invited to paint salmon from the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre to the wharf. By involving the community to participate in enhancing the First Nations presence along the riverfront, the general public can learn about First Nations artists, the history of First Nations displacement along the Yukon River and the importance of the meaning behind the project.
About the Art: Part of the Water
The mural is about the First Peoples of the Yukon and the river; wolf and raven in the centre (centre of our culture) salmon representing a traditional food source. Next out from the centre, the bear and eagle represent the other animals that frequent the river. Seal bowl represents the oral history and culture of the First People’s flora. The part farthest from the river represent the plants and vegetation found along the river and also the beadwork of the mothers and grandmothers (matrilineal society). The piece doesn’t have a particular top, bottom, or sides so as to represent the movement of the peoples from this area both to and from the water.
Envisioned and painted by Ken Anderson, assisted by Bre-Anna, produced by Northern Cultural Expressions Society.
About the Artists
Ken is of Tlingit and Scandinavian descent and was born and raised in Whitehorse. He specializes in the Tlingit art forms of the Northwest Coast. He has been a professional artist for the past 25 years, and has been shown and represented locally, nationally and internationally.
Bre-Anna Schilling grew up in the Yukon and is both a member of Kinistin Saulteaux Nation and of European descent. She has been a carver with Northern Cultural Expressions Society for 9 years. She first joined after her grandmother showed her an ad in the paper about the program. She checked it out, loved it, joined, and has never looked back. “It’s like family here and I really enjoy doing art”.
Market days (with food trucks!) are Tuesdays from 4pm to 8pm and Saturdays from 10am to 2pm.
Interested in becoming a vendor this year? Find the application here.
Market Vendor and Food Truck Schedule:
Saturday August 31
Gold Essence
We make personal Bath and Body Products for all ages. We create body butters, body scrubs, face scrubs, lotion bars, bath salts, bath bombs, soaps, shower steamers, body lotions, candles, wax melts, and many more!
Hooked on Ewe
Hooked on Ewe is a local business specializing in dye sublimation and laser engraving services, focusing on mugs and apparel to bags, tumblers, necklaces, keychains, and more!
The Northern Crochet
Crochet items, stickers, drink ware, baseball hats, gifts, and more!
KITA Japanese Kitchen
Claw machine with stuffed toys, Japanese snacks and soft drinks.
BBQ King Restaurant
Lemon tea, bubble tea, dimsum and more! Bubble egg waffles will be freshly made on site.
Raices Design
Raices is a project born in Argentina expressing different artistic and craft ideas where the combination of energy stones and techniques learned in different countries come together. Soon began a journey across the continent from Buenos Aires to the Yukon. New inspirations were born blown by a northern wind and the quest for warmth. From this resulted a collection of artistic jewelry made of healing stones, metals, macrame and beautiful wooden cover’s notebooks.
Chef Sandra
Jams and spreads, infused oils, European specialities, risottos, soup mixes. Chef Sandra products are the bestseller on the Spruce Bog and are very high in demand even shipping products throughout Canada. Made locally in the Yukon.
Safe At Home
The Safe at Home Society works to end and prevent homelessness in the Yukon, bringing together service agencies, government partners, landlords, community members and people with lived experience of homelessness to connect people with housing and supports.
Volke’ Arts
First Nations knives, stone sculptures, tools, and jewelry.
Isolated Garments
Curated vintage & streetwear clothing.
Wassup Dogg
Wassup Dogg will be selling hot dogs, chips, and soft drinks.
Yukon Fish & Game Association
Azhong Noodles
Hand-pulled noodles, steam buns, and more.
Smashed YXY
Gourmet burgers and a variety of sides.
Streets of Kerala
South Indian food.
Every Tuesday from 5-7 pm, Music Yukon will host free concerts featuring local musicians and bands. Check this page for the schedule of performers at the Riverfront Town Square.
Concert Schedule:
Monday August 26 – Street Eats 2024
12 pm – Sarah Hamilton Duo
1pm – Brigitte Jardin
Tuesday August 27 – Street Eats 2024
5 pm – Joey O’Neil
6 pm – Gordie Tentrees
Wednesday August 28 – Street Eats 2024
12 pm – South of Town
1 pm – Ryan McNally
Participate in free artist workshops every Saturday from 10am to 2pm. Two local artists, presented by Arts Underground, will lead the sessions at the market. Sessions are drop-in unless otherwise noted below.
Artist Workshop Schedule:
Saturday August 31
2 Needle Beading with Karen Nicloux (Ages 10+)
2 needle beading is a skill taught to me by my late mother Martha Buyck, Nacho Nyak Dun elder. It uses one needle to string beads on top of the material, and the other needle is for tacking beads in place. This technique leaves the beads smooth and straight on the surface of the material. Participants can try this technique, and take home a pattern and beads to practice at home.
Bead Making Using Polymer Clay with Lara Melnik (Ages 10+)
Learn about the technique of making a simple polymer clay cane with Lara. This medium is perfect for creating colourful beads to use in jewelry making. Participants will make their own beads with millefiori canes. Instructions will be provided to bake your project at home.
Emergency
For emergency medical, fire, or police, please call 9-1-1.
Non-Emergency Contacts
Road or Sidewalk Maintenance
City of Whitehorse
867-633-7669
Available 24/7
Bylaw Services
City of Whitehorse
867-668-8317
[email protected]
Weekdays 8 am to 9 pm
Weekends 10:30 am to 7 pm
Report a Municipal Concern
City of Whitehorse
General inquiries: 867-667-6401
After-hours trouble line: 867-667-2111
Report a problem online here
Harm Reduction
Blood Ties Four Directions Centre
867-633-2437
Weekdays 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Outreach Van
867-334-1647
Daily 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm
Housing Support
Safe at Home Yukon
867-332-0630
310 Alexander Street
General Questions
Economic Development Team
City of Whitehorse
867-334-1083
[email protected]
Weekdays 9 am to 4:30 pm
