麻豆传媒

MOOSE JAW — More than 4,000 people filled Crescent Park on Canada Day for ParkArt ’25, as the largest annual arts fundraiser for the Moose Jaw Museum and Art Gallery (MJMAG) returned with record-setting vendor numbers and high community energy — even if overall attendance fell just short of a new record as organizers had anticipated.

The July 1 event, hosted by the MJMAG, brought in 82 vendors offering everything from pottery and painting to handmade jewelry, soaps, textiles, and baked goods. It was the most booths ever hosted in the event’s decades-long history, surpassing last year’s total of 76.

“In terms of the number of vendors, it’s the biggest one we’ve ever had,” said Jennifer McRorie, director and curator at the MJMAG. “It was just really great to see our spaces filled with so many people and great energy.”

While organizers had hoped this year’s edition might break attendance records, final estimates came in at “just over 4,000” guests — about 500 people short of the pre-pandemic high of 4,500.

“I think before the pandemic, we were, at times, at about 4,500 people,” McRorie said. “So we’re not quite back to that yet, but we’re getting really close.”

Still, the numbers represent growth from last year’s event, which welcomed between 3,700 and 3,800 attendees. “So we’re up from last year, which is great,” she noted.

Visitors spent the day browsing handmade goods, taking in exhibitions at the MJMAG, and enjoying family-friendly activities like face painting and Canada Day crafting in the Kinsmen Learning Centre. Food vendors, including the Moose Jaw Elks and Hourglass Coffee, also helped draw crowds.

Despite the heat, the outdoor event saw no rain or high winds and raised approximately $29,000 for MJMAG programming.

“The feedback we got from people who attended and the vendors themselves at ParkArt was really positive,” McRorie said. “It just felt like a really positive experience and great event.”

Around 30 volunteers supported the day, including several board members who helped set up at 6 a.m. and worked until cleanup at 5 p.m. MLA Megan Patterson also lent a hand, volunteering at one of the entrance gates.

“Just seeing so many people who volunteered their time to help make it a great success … it’s really meaningful and heartwarming,” McRorie said. “We so appreciate that dedication.”

She added, “A big thank you to everyone who came out to support the event and be a part of the Canada Day celebration. Thanks again to all our volunteers and our board and staff that put all their hearts into making it such a great success.”

ParkArt is the MJMAG’s largest fundraiser of the year. For more information, visit .