Thunderstorms Dampen Formal 'Diner en Blanc' Picnic in Edmonton

Droves of people gathered in Edmonton in Canada’s Alberta province on Thursday, July 17 to attend a formal Diner en Blanc event, but thunderstorms dampened what organizers described as a “chic picnic.”

Guests were encouraged to dress in all white, bring their own meals, tables, chairs, and all-white table settings, local media said. Diner en Blanc events are held annually in numerous cities across the world. The date of the secretive event is known to attendees in advance, but the location is only revealed at the last minute.

Citing event organizers, local media said more than 800 people were expected to attend the picnic in Edmonton.

This video shows people huddled under white umbrellas and some leaving for cover as it rains over Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, the event’s location.

Monique MacDonald, who documented the rainy occasion on Twitter, said “people were such good sports about it, singing, dancing and laughing while they waited to be allowed back down on the field.”

Edmonton event organizers encouraged guests to bring umbrellas and white or clear rain ponchos due to the rainy forecast.

Diner en Blanc in New York City, attended by more than 5,000 people, was also rained on, and the event was forced to close. Credit: Monique MacDonald via Storyful