Dîner en Blanc hits Edmonton! 25 all-white photos that prove a little rain never hurt anyone

by Caroline Gault July 18, 2014

Diner En Blanc Edmonton — Photography by Carmyn Effa

See the photos from Dîner en Blanc in Edmonton »

We may have arrived a little late to the party, but we certainly had a fashionable debut. For the first time ever, the secret, all-white mystery picnic, Dîner en Blanc, landed in Edmonton. Made famous by the city of Paris 25 years ago (and now taking place in cities all over the world), the rain-or-shine event forged on honorably last night through what my waterlogged white dress can only inflate to a mid-summer deluge.

If it sounds like I’m complaining, I am (or was). After all, we had to go shopping for a head-to-toe white outfit, bring our own white tables and chairs, plateware, stemware, napkins and flatware. The food we packed in our white picnic baskets had to be gourmet. We had to leave work early! In the thunder and rain!

Sometimes, if you’re willing to put in a little bit of effort, you get something extraordinary. Equipped with all of the above, upwards of 1,200 people descended on Louise McKinney Park (the secret location is only revealed at the very last minute) and it was some kind of magical.

Amidst a sea of clear umbrellas and plastic ponchos, Edmonton still managed to look good. From LWDs and maxis, boyfriend blazers and crop tops, ties and suspenders, and headdress en masse—netted fascinators, stylish turbans and floppy summer hats—the evening felt like a scene stolen from The Great Gatsby or—yes—Midnight in Paris.

And when the sparklers came out—I almost Pinterested all over it. Add live music, flowing wine and champagne, and a pre-dinner performance from the impressive acrobatic dance team of Odysseo, and you’ve set the tone for many enchanted summer “white nights” in Edmonton to come.

So you either get on board, or GTFO. After all, a little rain never hurt anybody.