'Edmonton Project' finalist pitches plan for Christmas village

Christmas might be 347 days away, but Georgina Atkin has the holiday on her mind.

Atkin wants to bring a longstanding European tradition to Edmonton by building Christmas or Advent villages during the holidays. Temporary holiday markets would bring the spirit of the season to the streets, Atkin said.

Thepop-up bazaars are a time-honoured tradition overseas.

"They have markets set up where you can purchase all kinds of different items,from food to clothes to Christmas gifts," Atkin said in an interview with CBC Radio's Edmonton AM.

"They also have kiosks where you can buy some hot cider and mulled wine and you get your cup and walk around the village, do some shopping, watch some the entertainment.

"It's a great family outing. It is awesome."

The festive proposal is one of 10 finalists for theEdmonton Project, a partnership of five companies looking to create a distinct landmark in the city.

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To win, Atkin's Christmas village pitchwill have to outshine some seriously fantastical proposals. Other groups have pitched a food truck ferris wheel, ariver valley tree house and a gondola over the North Saskatchewan River.

Competitors' formal pitches will be presented to a panel of five judges on March 6. A winner will be announced the same day.

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'The whole city turns out'

Atkin, a local nurse, said the city could repurpose itsGreen Shacks to create unique street-side spaces for vendors, who coulddeck out the buildings in holiday decor.

Depending on the location, markets could also featurefamily skating or curling tournaments.

There are plenty of places that would be a good fit for a market Atkin said, highlighting Churchill Square, the legislature grounds, the Muttart Conservatory andWhyte Avenue as possible locations.

"As it grows, I would like to see it move out into different venues," she said. "And eventually, out in the communities, where each community league would have their own little Christmas village."

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Similar Christmas markets in places like London, Glasgow, Barcelona and Belgium attract thousands of visitors each year, bringing the streets to lifewith crowds and breathtaking light displays.

"It is worldwide and you see people from all walks of life," Atkin said. "It's not just Christian. It's more about the spirit of the season, getting out with family and having a good time.

"The whole city turns out to these things."

The hosts ofCBCRadio'sEdmonton AMwill talk to each of the finalists of the Edmonton project over the next two weeks.Listen toEdmonton AM with host Mark Connolly, weekday mornings at CBC Radio One, 93.9 FM in Edmonton. Follow the morning crew on Twitter@EdmAMCBC.