It’s on to the next big event in Chemainus and that’s the Giant Street Market hosted by the Chemainus + District Chamber of Commerce on Saturday, July 8.
Willow Street will be closed from Victoria Street all the way to Oak Street.
The biggest change people will find this year is the time of the market, pointed out Melody Smythies, the Chamber’s membership and events manager. It has traditionally started earlier, but will now run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“When I asked for feedback last year, many vendors thought the time was too early,” pointed out Smythies.
Some vendors coming from as far away as Victoria or Campbell River had to leave their homes by 5 a.m. to be set up between 6 and 8 a.m.
“Also, a lot of vendors said that there was hardly any people around at 8 a.m.,” added Smythies. “They just felt it was too early of a start so I listened.”
Other highlights listed by Smythies to watch for include:
· Food trucks in the Waterwheel parking lot.
· DJ NAS will be providing a Zumba demonstration at noon on the riser at Waterwheel plaza.
· Miranda and Annalise Lam will be providing a Highland dance performance at 1 p.m. on the riser at the Waterwheel plaza. Annalise is the current world junior champion in Highland dance, an award she won in Scotland last August. Miranda and Annalise will be dancing at the Edinburgh Castle in Scotland during August.
· Kayla Carlson, along with her mom Rhonda, will be at the event. Tour de Rock rider Kayla Carlson from Chemainus will be selling raffle tickets.
· There will be roaming buskers under the Chamber tents.
· In front of Beyond The Usual, there will be a circle with a message to ‘Dance here’ for impromptu entertainment.
· St. Michael’s Church will be holding a Strawberry Tea from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. while the Chemainus United Church has its annual garage sale to coincide with the market.
· The Chemainus Valley Blues Festival, hosted by the Chemainus Valley Cultural Arts Society, starts at 2 p.m. at the bandshell in Waterwheel Park.
Smythies added there’s still a need for a few more volunteers for set up and take down duties. For those able to lend a hand, contact Smythies at 250-737-3370 or chamber@chemainus.bc.ca.
