We’re only a few days away from the return of the Bay Block Party.
The event takes place Saturday, Aug. 27, along Main Street, from Fraser to Sherbrooke streets.
Ryan Humble, event chair and president of the North Bay Real Estate Board, says there will be inflatables and kids activities, a flatland bike competition, an artisan’s market, a food fest, craft breweries and distilleries and entertainment.
Toronto band Dwayne Gretzky is performing along with several local musicians.
Humble says this is an event the whole community can look forward to, like summer festivals of the past.
“Heritage Festival was always a main component of our summer. That turned into Summer In The Park and unfortunately that folded a couple of years ago,” he says. “We, as a real estate board, saw an opportunity to offer something back to the community, something that we can look forward to on an annual basis. To put this on again, the whole element here is to keep it free.”
Humble says the last Bay Block Party in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic, drew about 4,000 people with more anticipated this year.
Amber Livingstone, Executive Director of Downtown North Bay and Waterfront, says positive events like this are really good for the city core.
“Because then the negative traffic backs off, there are too many eyes, there are too many people around and they’re not comfortable,” she says. “When you hear people say ‘I don’t want to go downtown I don’t feel it’s safe’ (that’s) totally the wrong thought. The more people you bring downtown the more positive traffic there is and that’s what we need to do.”
The North Bay Food Bank will also be on-site at the Bay Block Party accepting donations.
For more information visit www.bayblockparty.ca
