A lot is made in Victoria of Government Street, the Inner Harbour, the Causeway, but on Sunday, Douglas Street gets its due.
The third annual Car Free YYJ festival, which will close off nine blocks of the street to vehicle traffic for most of the day, is as much a celebration of Douglas as it is downtown Victoria.
“The value I see that it brings is a very positive light to Douglas Street, which is fantastic,” said Brett Lacey, co-owner of Arq Hair Salon at 1317 Douglas St.
“I sometimes think Douglas gets lost. Other parts of the city get so much attention, but it gets kind of taken for granted.”
Lacey said the event gives the tens of thousands of people who pass through the city on the street each week a chance to enjoy it.
“I think it’s fantastic, and having been down there for the event in the past, I know the energy level is great — it shines a light on it,” he said.
Car Free YYJ will see Douglas Street closed off to traffic at Chatham Street at the north end and Courtney Street at the south. The event is a presentation of the Downtown Victoria Business Association in partnership with the City of Victoria and B.C. Transit.
Last year, an estimated 30,000 people perused the vendors, drank the beer and danced to the music playing along the strip.
“I think it’s fantastic programming for an otherwise low-key day,” said Darlene Hollstein, general manager of the Bay Centre. “We encourage all of our retailers to participate, and those that do see a big benefit.”
The Father’s Day weekend is typically quiet for retailers downtown, and this is a chance for businesses to interact with people they might not normally see, Hollstein said.
“This is a day of celebration of this street and of the retailers and services that are being offered in downtown,” she said, adding that retailers from other parts of the city are encouraged to take part.
“It’s a cross-pollination of business and offerings for those who work and play downtown.”
For Nick Blasko, whose company, Atomique Productions, is producing the event, it’s a day of logistics.
The company gets control of the street at 8 a.m. and within three hours must co-ordinate the setup of hundreds of vendors before the public starts streaming into the area when it officially starts at 11 a.m.
“From the outside, it may look like a [logistics nightmare], but it’s fairly straightforward and a fun one to produce,” he said.
Getting the vendors set up and ready in a few hours is no easy task, and Blasko has nine block captains — one for each block — who deal with the vendors in their area.
“It’s quite regimented,” he said.
The event is free to the public and open between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.
It features four stages with a range of entertainment, three licensed areas, food trucks, a grassy area and a bike valet.
“There’s something for everyone. Even if you only have an hour, come downtown and walk the event, there will be something for you,” he said.
