Saturday's got trucks, live music, and a mild start to the long weekend

Morning. It's Saturday and you've got time. Temperature's sitting at 14°C with decent sun (UV 5 if you're planning to be outside most of the day), so layer up but leave the heavy coat at home. You'll want to be out in this.

One quick heads-up on getting around: 97 Street and 137 Avenue is closed today, so if you're heading that way, plan a detour. Route 701 has a few reroutes running—check your transit app before you head out, but nothing that should derail your Saturday plans.

It's been a rough week for some folks around town. The windstorm that tore through the IgNite Night Market in southwest Edmonton left vendors scrambling to recover their setups. If you've got favourite vendors there, they're likely still pulling it together. On a heavier note, there's been growing tension around immigration as we head toward October's referendum on separation—it's worth staying aware of what's happening in our communities.

On the brighter side: Sip Soda Co. is doing a grand opening on Whyte Avenue with free drinks for early arrivals, so if you're thinking brunch or an afternoon walk down the Ave, that's worth stopping by. If you're in the mood for something with real history, Lingnan's has been anchoring Edmonton family dinners for over 70 years with their egg rolls—solid choice if you want to eat somewhere that knows what it's doing. Andy's Valleyview IGA is also back in Parkview after being gone for two years, if you're looking to check out the familiar name in a fresh spot.

Tonight's properly packed. Monster Jam's running at Rogers Place at 6:00 PM if you're into trucks and spectacle—they've got an afternoon show at noon too if you want to make a full day of it. Over at the Ice District, Boots and Hearts West is happening at 3:00 PM with Shaboozey, so there's live music if you're leaning that way. And if you're catching the evening, Propagandhi and The Flatliners are at Pawn Shop Live (formerly Union Hall) starting at 6:00 PM for a proper rock night.

Sunset's at 8:31, so you've got a solid 13-plus hours of daylight to work with. That's enough time for brunch, an errand or two, and still have your pick of what to do when the sun goes down. Go do something.