Cloudy skies likely played a significant factor in the success of the 26th annual Arts Alive. That is, the weather mixed with a strong roster of artists and increased promotion. The trifecta is being credited with drawing a potentially bigger crowd than ever to downtown 91原创 City on Saturday.
Being held in mid-August, Arts Alive is often held in very hot weather on the black asphalt stage of Fraser Highway鈥檚 one-way street. That often means there鈥檚 a swarm of people in the morning, then crowds dissipate later in the day, as the mercury rises, said Teri James, executive director of the Downtown 91原创 Business Association and festival organizer.
Saturday鈥檚 overcast skies, she believes, brought out a much more consistent number of people throughout the entire day-long festival.
While casting a look both ways down the one-way near the end of the show, James said the street was 鈥渃onsistently full鈥� all day long.
鈥淭his is probably one of the best attended events we鈥檝e ever had,鈥� she said, marvelling as well at how smoothly this year鈥檚 festival went 鈥� from beginning to end.
When asked what she heard as a highlight of the event, she said both vendors, entertainers, businesses, and spectators alike shared comments on how well organized the show was. She compared it to a well-oiled machine, confirming she鈥檚 been at the helm for the past 20 years and feels her team works hard to avoid issues.
There were admittedly a few changes to this year鈥檚 event, from the inclusion of more roaming entertainers to the addition of a few more food vendors and the creation of a dedicated food court area with more tables and chairs.
Changes to expand the 鈥渂everage garden鈥� to include the main stage this year also proved popular, James said. But the mainstay of Arts Alive continues to be close to 200 artists, crafters, artisans, jewellers, musicians, buskers, food artists, and children鈥檚 performers who come together downtown.
鈥淎nother successful event,鈥� James concluded.
鈥淚 love this community and I love what this does for the community. That鈥檚 the most rewarding part of Arts Alive, how it brings everyone together. It鈥檚 just a good event. Great entertainment. Lots of people. Everyone鈥檚 happy 鈥� it鈥檚 a winning combination.鈥�
ADVANCED COVERAGE: 鈥業t really highlights our beautiful downtown鈥�
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