I’ve written in the past on this blog about seminars and workshops I’ve attended to learn more about the topic of HIV/AIDS, but they’ve been heavily skewed towards the international side of things. For whatever reason, it’s become easy to ignore the same issues at home and concentrate only on the problems abroad.

Thus, when I saw advertisements spotlighting the upcoming AIDS Walk for Life, I decided to sign up. I participated in the walk once before while in university, but hadn’t continued with the annual fall event.

Walk for Life

Since that time, the walk has changed – it now started from City Hall (instead of the Butterdome) and wound its way through downtown Edmonton (instead of the River Valley). The fundraising part of it also got easier, with an online collection function available to those registering online. I really should have utilized it – Mack garnered $100 after just a day of soliciting donations.

We made out way to City Hall on Sunday afternoon, just in time to join in on the festivities. Pre-walk entertainment included the high-energy drag queen Yoko Ono and the female singing trio Belle Rouge.

Yoko Ono does Footloose

Watching Belle Rouge

There were various displays around the City Room, and a craft area for children. The entire walk and atmosphere was very family-friendly.

Art work

We were eventually ushered outside for an optional warm-up led by peppy staff from the World Health Club, and we were off.

Dance, everybody!

Before the walk

It was very clearly an autumn day, with overcast skies and a light breeze, but we couldn’t have asked for better weather – it was just cool enough for a comfortable 5km stroll.

And we’re off!

Poor puppy!

Winding across the closed street

The group made an obligatory refueling/photo pit stop at the Legislature before heading back, when it did start to get a little chillier. Thankfully, however, the rain held off.

At the Legislature

We were promised food upon our return to City Hall, and the organizers delivered. With the walk over, we were free to gorge ourselves on complimentary soft drinks, Starbucks coffee and iced tea, mini doughnuts, fresh popped sweet and salty kettle corn, and Funky Pickle pizza. We happily obliged.

Mack happy with mini dougnnuts and balloon

With popcorn and pizza

The Walk for Life was not only fun, but was for a great cause. I will definitely be looking to participate again next year.

Mack’s photo set is here.