What happens when you bring together a full array of visual artists and artisans, performers, family activities and scrumptious food, all in downtown 91原创?
One of the region鈥檚 favourite events, of course: !
Celebrating its 27th year, Arts Alive runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 20 along Fraser Highway, between 204 & 206 streets, and truly provides something for everyone 鈥� key to its popularity and longevity, says Teri James, executive director of the .
鈥淲e鈥檙e incredibly proud to bring this event back to 91原创 City, bigger and even better than before, with more excitement and more entertainment,鈥� James says. 鈥淎fter a two-year hiatus, we worked extremely hard to pull out all the stops this year!鈥�
What鈥檚 on the Arts Alive calendar this year?
鈥淲e have more than 200 artists, artisans, crafters and world-class musicians, a full children鈥檚 venue with incredible performers, face-painting and chalk art, roving entertainers and delicious food. It鈥檚 just a beautiful vibe that covers two city blocks, all day long.鈥�
Even better, the event is free to attend. While everyone is encouraged to support the vendors, 鈥測ou can literally walk around all day at no cost and be fully entertained.鈥�
More local businesses are participating than ever before, but even with 140 vendor locations there鈥檚 still ample room for valued artists and artisans, including painters, potters, jewellers, clothiers, authors, woodturners, carvers, glass artists and more.
鈥淲e鈥檙e fully booked with a large waitlist, which has never happened before, and if the weather co-operates, we鈥檙e expecting more people to attend than ever before,鈥� James says. 鈥淭he good news is there鈥檚 lots of space for everyone to enjoy.鈥�
Family-friendly fun
鈥淲e know that line-ups, particularly in hot weather, are not enjoyable for families, so we鈥檙e providing an area with two face painters instead of one (plus a third face painter in Salt Lane), crafts, and chalk art sponsored by Opus Art Supplies 鈥� always a favourite. In lieu of the bouncy castle and balloon twister we鈥檝e had in previous years, we鈥檝e programmed the entire area with quality, children鈥檚 entertainers all day,鈥� James says.
鈥淭his includes singers, a cosmo circus act, magic, a ventriloquist and dancers who will entertain families, so line-ups aren鈥檛 a frustration. We put a great deal of thought into this year, especially because we鈥檙e anticipating larger-than-usual crowds.鈥�
Salt Lane hosts another of the event鈥檚 , with fantastic musicians throughout the day.
鈥淚t鈥檚 important to provide an experience where people leave feeling they鈥檝e experienced every aspect of diversity and multiculturalism. This respect for inclusion extends to our vendors and performers,鈥� James notes.
And then there鈥檚 the food!
Three food trucks 鈥� Meet2Eat, Salty鈥檚 Lobster and Veg Out 鈥� will park at the east end of the event area with tables, chairs and shade. In addition, Downtown 91原创 offers a wealth of dining options, representing cuisine from around the world.
鈥滱n event of this size takes many months of planning, and needs a fantastic team of marketing designers, website people, social media managers, event executors and dedicated volunteers, not to mention incredible support from numerous sponsors. We can鈥檛 wait to see you all on Aug. 20!
Plan your Arts Alive day at
