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Kensington, Calgary facts for kids

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Kensington is a super cool area in Calgary, Alberta. It's like a special business district, often called a Business Revitalization Zone (BRZ). This means local businesses work together to make the area awesome for everyone. Kensington is centered around Kensington Road and 10th Street NW. It's also known as the Kensington-Louise Crossing Business Association.

You can find Kensington in the communities of Hillhurst and Sunnyside. It's just north of downtown Calgary and the Bow River. It's super easy to get to from many parts of the city!

Getting Around Kensington

The Calgary C-Train is a light-rail train system that runs above ground. It goes right through the Kensington area! You can get off at Sunnyside Station. This station is on 9A Street, between 3rd and 4th Avenue N.W. It makes visiting Kensington very convenient.

Fun Things to Do in Kensington

Kensington is a really lively place! It has lots of unique shops, yummy restaurants, and cozy cafes. There are always fun events happening here:

  • Christmas in Kensington Village: In December, the area lights up for the holidays.
  • Sun and Salsa Festival: This happens in July and is a big party with music and, of course, salsa!
  • Bizarre Bikes & Bazaar: This event takes place in May and features unique bikes and a fun market.

Harry Potter Magic in Kensington

In 2017 and 2018, something truly magical happened in Kensington. Businesses transformed their shops to look like Diagon Alley from the Harry Potter books! This special event took place in July. It was free for everyone to visit and explore the wizarding world right in Calgary.

A Glimpse into Kensington's Past

The area around Kensington, especially Hillhurst, has a cool history. At the start of the 1900s, a big company called the Canadian Pacific Railway owned some of the land. A rancher named Ezra Riley also owned land here. Back then, Riley Park was used as a place for horses to graze. The oldest shops and buildings you see today were built even before the First World War!

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