The arts are indeed alive in 91原创, and the Downtown 91原创 Business Association is celebrating with one of the community鈥檚 favourite events!
The 28th annual Arts Alive Festival returns to downtown 91原创 on Saturday, Aug. 19, bringing a full day of painters, potters, designers and sculptors, showing and demonstrating their work alongside local musicians, children鈥檚 entertainers and food purveyors.
With more than 200 visual and performing artists, this free, 鈥渕ust-attend festival鈥� has become a signature event in the Lower Mainland.
鈥淚n addition to the 150+ artists and artisans, we鈥檙e so pleased that more than 50 of our businesses are also participating with everything from merchandise sales to hosting fun street games like Plinko,鈥� says Teri James, executive Director of the DLBA. 鈥淎nd of course, everyone loves the roving entertainers and stellar musical performances 鈥� we worked very hard to put together an amazing line-up of music this year, and there鈥檚 something for everyone!鈥�
Live music will play all day from the McBurney Plaza Main Stage:
- 10 to 11 a.m. 鈥� Dani Camacho Duo
- 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. 鈥� Krystle Dos Santos Band
- 1:30 to 3 p.m. 鈥� Jackson Hollow
- 3:30 to 5 p.m. 鈥� Ryan McAllister Band
And what about the younger set?
鈥淭he entire event is family-friendly, but our Children鈥檚 Stage this year is going to be awesome 鈥� we鈥檝e expanded it and moved it to a larger location mid-way down the event area,鈥� James says. 鈥淲e hand-selected a variety of performances that kids of all ages are going to love and of course we鈥檒l have face painters and more roving entertainers, too!鈥�
On the Children鈥檚 Stage are:
- 10:30 a.m. 鈥� Choose Your Own Adventure the Musical with Molly Wilson
- 11:30 a.m. 鈥� The Great Gordini Magic & Comedy Show
- 12:30 p.m. 鈥� Silk Road Music
- 2 p.m. 鈥� Yuki & Ryan Juggling Duo
- 3:30 p.m. 鈥� Van City Bhangra Dancers
If there鈥檚 one thing that can make Arts Alive even better, it鈥檚 delicious local food.
A food truck court will roll into the east end of the event area and James is excited to welcome a variety of Downtown 91原创 restaurants to the event. 鈥淥ur newest downtown business, 鈥楾he Pie Hole鈥� will serve up delicious savoury and sweet pie treats, plus there鈥檚 ice cream, candy, Indian and Filipino cuisine, and three delicious bakeries all serving up their mouth-watering goodies,鈥� she says.
While parking is free all day, the road closure to accommodate all the fun means space will be limited, so carpooling with friends and family is recommended if possible!
Visit from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. along Fraser Highway, between 204 and 206 Street. Learn more and plan your visit at And be sure to follow on and for Downtown Dollar draws!