After a long two years, the Squamish Street Market Festival is returning to downtown Squamish this summer thanks to the BC COVID-Recovery Grant.
The BP Communications-led event will take place in downtown Squamish from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, July, 31st and will include many favourite local vendors, artists and sponsors, its organizer says.
"[Being closed for the past two years] has obviously not been very good for the businesses, grassroots organizations, musicians and entertainers that rely on these sorts of festivals. So it is very, very exciting to be back," Bianca Peters, the event organizer said.
Through a happy accident, the Squamish Street Market Festival will occur during the Squamish Days Loggers Sports Festival long weekend. Peters hopes that since the community will already be out in the morning for the Squamish Day's parade, they will be able to join the festival after.
Kalkalath (Deanna Lewis) of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) will open the event with a blessing, drumming and songs followed by performances from the Squamish Dance Centre dancers.
"We really just want to bring people a sense of community on a Sunday and have people enjoy themselves and Squamish," Peters said.
The event will feature a family-friendly beer garden, main entertainment stage and Food Truck Alley.
Throughout the event, Squamish locals and tourists can participate in a car show, live art and win prizes from local businesses and not for profits.
"You can eat, go shopping, bring the family down and have a picnic and listen to some music," said Peters. "It will be a great day; I am just trying to book the sun."
Musical guests Anne and Mario Iacovone, from the Overcomers and the Whistler band Red Chair are set to perform at the free event.
"If this event is back on track like we are hoping it's going to be, then we will look forward to returning the actual Squamish Street Market series next year," said Peters. "I have actually been talking to some people about introducing a Squamish food truck festival so we will see where it goes."
For more information or to get involved, go to www.squamishstreetmarket.com.
