A new event on Canada Day in downtown Squamish will have food and fun for people of all ages.
Hosted by the Downtown Squamish Business Improvement Association (DSBIA), the free event called Sk̲wx̲wú7mesh Squamish Together: A Celebration of Community will take over the downtown core from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on July 1.
The free outdoor event will boast food trucks, family-friendly activities, musicians and performers, a beer garden and X̱ex̱e7énaḵ Creators Together Market.
“We are grateful to those who have stepped up to create this event for our community and a great effort is being made to ensure all of our community members feel welcome and part of this wonderful day we have planned for everyone,” said the executive director of the DSBIA, Kerry Neil, in a news release.
Open to foot traffic only from Victoria to Main Street, the X̱ex̱e7énaḵ Creators Together Market will include art, clothing, textiles, beadwork, ceramics and other local goods as well as friendly faces from community organizations such as Sea to Sky Allies, Squamish Rebuild, Squamish Welcome Centre and Squamish Community Foundation.
O’Siyam Pavilion will see numerous acts taking the stage including DJ Praiz, Welhtima Kexwusem, Alex Wells, Little City Big Sound, Ant Hill Kids, Will Ross and The Hairfarmers. Also, there will be performances by the Sea to Sky Dance Collective and the Squamish Sikh community.
Around noon, there will be a Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) welcoming ceremony and Mayor Armand Hurford is set to address the crowd.
Roaming artists, face-painting, balloon art, hula hooping and family entertainer Ira Pettle will keep the kids entertained throughout the day. For adults, a Backcountry Brewing beer garden will be in operation from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. for those 19 and older.
Numerous food trucks serving a variety of foods will line the street and there will be free bike parking from OurSquamish Placemaking Society at Stan Clarke Park plus free transit service on all routes. Free parking will be available at the Squamish Adventure Centre.
“What better way to celebrate our diversity than through music, dance, food and storytelling in the heart of downtown Squamish,” said Neil.
More information about the event is available on downtownsquamish.com including the full schedule of entertainment.
But wait, there's more!
The Squamish Legion is also holding a Canada Day event.
Starting at noon, a barbecue will be held out front of the Legion at 40194 Glenalder Place in the Garibaldi Highlands.
The evening at the Legion will see MT’s Bluesband, and opening act Emily Ashcroft (of Gaslighter) and Michael Kilby, starting at 7 p.m.
There’s also a meat draw.
Find out more on the Squamish Legion’s Faceobok page.
