By Andy Schooler, Sportinglife.com, Edmonton

Edmonton has been busy today proving itself not to be “Deadmonton” as the Daily Telegraph labelled it earlier this week.

The comment, which incensed residents of the city and was widely reported in local newspapers, did not seem relevant on a visit “downtown” today.

The city’s Sir Winston Churchill Square was awash with entertainment – from musical bands to a pin-trading centre (that’s lapel badges to me and you).

The World’s Plaza, as the week-long event has been called, has attracted thousands of visitors every day, based mainly on a family theme.

With people from across the globe currently in the city, a variety of culture has been at the heart of it, although there has also been plenty of fun events – including sprinting and high jump competitions – for children and the not so young to do.

Also taking place this weekend, and adding extra colour and noise to the city centre, was the CariWest festival – with the city’s Caribbean community out to display their dance, food and general nature.

Alongside all of this, the championship organisers have also staged nightly concerts in the city’s main park.

Other attractions in the city include the West Edmonton Mall which claims to be the world’s biggest shopping centre.

It is certainly large. It includes a roller coaster and waterpark which to leave Essex’s Lakeside slightly in the shade.