whats happening on the day
About the day
On Thanksgiving Monday, October 13, Calgarians will gather at the new Eau Claire Plaza for a day of community, gratitude, and celebration in support of the Calgary Food Bank. The morning kicks off with a 5 km friendly walk along the city’s scenic downtown pathways—welcoming walkers of all ages and abilities.
When the walk wraps up back at Eau Claire Plaza, the celebration turns up a notch with thePOWER hour, our outdoor dance party featuring a live DJ. The plaza will come alive with music, movement, and energy, plus our amazing collaborators offering free treats, samples, and goodies to keep the vibe high.
It’s more than steps and songs—it’s about celebrating community, shining a light on the vital work of the Calgary Food Bank, and sharing the joy of giving back. And best of all, it only takes a few hours of your Thanksgiving Day to make a big difference.
Come for the walk, stay for the dance.
🧡 Participant Timeline – theWALK.ca 2025
Thanksgiving Monday, October 13, 2025
📍 Eau Claire Plaza, Calgary
#feedyyc | theWALK.ca
🌅 9:30–10:00 AM – Event Opens
- Arrive at Eau Claire Plaza and take in the energy!
- Meet and mingle with fellow walkers.
- Say hello to event organizers Doug & Paul Lavoie.
- Drop off your non-perishable food donation to help Fill the Ford (Northstar Ford truck).
- Pick up your free event T-shirt (while supplies last).
- Enjoy complimentary coffee and goodies, or grab breakfast from a food truck.
- Visit the Calgary Food Bank tent to learn how your support helps local families.
🎤 10:00–10:15 AM – Opening Ceremony
- Welcome remarks from Doug & Paul Lavoie, co-founders of theWALK.ca.
- Land acknowledgment and opening reflections.
- High Fitness warm-up – get your body moving and ready to walk!
- National anthem performed by the Calgary Men’s Chorus.
- Doug & Paul lead the official theWALK countdown — and we’re off!
🚶♀️ 10:15–11:00 AM – theWALK (5 km)
- Join hundreds of Calgarians for our community walk along the Bow River.
- Enjoy the scenic route — music, cheer zones, and smiles all the way!
- Walk at your own pace — this is about connection, not competition.
🎶 11:00 AM–12:00 PM – thePOWER hour Dance Party
- Return to Eau Claire Plaza and celebrate with thePOWER hour!
- DJ Jason on stage spinning upbeat tracks.
- Bubble machines, food trucks, and pure energy.
- Everyone’s invited — dance, laugh, and celebrate community spirit!
💛 12:00–12:30 PM – Closing Celebration & Farewell
- Doug & Paul share closing thanks and reflections.
- Calgary Food Bank donation call-out — celebrating the generosity of everyone who walked, danced, and donated.
- Farewell message to the community — gratitude for helping make the day unforgettable.
- Final song and group moment of appreciation before saying goodbye.
fill the ford, BRING YOUR NON-PERISHABLE FOOD DONATION
On event Day, Drop off your non-perishable food donation to help Fill the Ford (Northstar Ford truck
The Fill the Ford truck, generously donated by Northstar Ford, is a centerpiece of theWALK.ca event. It serves as a rolling collection point for non-perishable food donations that will go directly to the Calgary Food Bank. Participants are encouraged to help “fill the Ford to the brim” and make a tangible impact in supporting families facing food insecurity across Calgary.
course map
The walking course
The 5 km walking course starts and finishes at the new Eau Claire Plaza. It follows the south Bow River pathway on an out-and-back route, heading east and turning around just past the 14th Street Bridge before returning to the plaza. Flat, scenic, and family-friendly, it’s a beautiful Thanksgiving morning walk for all ages.
Light the night
Last Year, Calgary Tower Lights up for theWALK.ca
On Thanksgiving Eve, Sunday, October 12, Calgary’s skyline will shine in support of the cause with Light the Night—the Calgary Tower illuminated in white, blue, and yellow to recognize theWALK.ca and the vital work of the Calgary Food Bank. It’s a glowing reminder of the community spirit that fuels this event.
Then, on Thanksgiving Monday, October 13, Calgarians will gather at the new Eau Claire Plaza for theWALK.ca—a morning of gratitude, connection, and celebration. The day begins with a 5 km out-and-back walk along the south Bow River pathway, turning around just past the 10th Avenue Bridge, before returning to Eau Claire Plaza.
The celebration continues with thePOWER hour, an outdoor dance party featuring a live DJ, energy, and free treats from our community collaborators. In just a few hours of your Thanksgiving Day, you’ll take steps that help feed families and celebrate the Calgary Food Bank’s incredible impact.
Come for the walk, stay for the dance.
Who We Are
Our Story
TheWALK.ca began just over three years ago with a simple idea — to move with purpose and give back.
In 2022, as I was approaching my 50th birthday, I decided to celebrate it in a different way — by running 50 half-marathons in 50 weeks as my fitness gift to myself. We began Run #1 on September 24, 2022, and my amazing husband, Paul Lavoie, decided to join me. He ran every single one — all 50.
Along the way, what started as a personal challenge turned into something much bigger. Together, we began fundraising for the Calgary Food Bank, inspired by the incredible work they do across our city. By the time we crossed the finish line of our 50th half-marathon, with the support of friends, family, and our community, we had raised over $138,000.
In 2024, our efforts evolved into theWALK.ca — a Thanksgiving tradition that brings Calgarians together to walk, dance, and give back. That year, through the generosity of others, we raised $380,000 for the Calgary Food Bank.
People are good.
Believing in the power of community and the importance of gratitude, we’ve turned that spirit into an annual celebration — a joyful 5 km community walk and outdoor dance party that helps feed Calgarians in need.
We are just two guys who wanted to do something.