After a couple of years of cancellations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, downtown Kelowna is gearing up for a block party.
The Downtown Kelowna Association’s 31st annual Block Party took over Bernard Avenue on Saturday, with dozens of local vendors showcasing their wares, along with live entertainment and delicious food.
“It’s basically a celebration of the artisans, the family, getting out, getting around downtown without the hassle of traffic,” said DKA Executive Director Mark Burley.
This is the first time the Block Party has taken place since Kelowna’s “Meet me on Bernard” initiative – the closure of downtown Bernard Avenue to vehicular traffic during the summer months.
“It’s allowed us to try something different by fitting all of our vendors, entertainment, features and everything within the Meet me on Bernard imprint, so I think that’s a great addition, so we’re very happy,” Burley said. .
Crowds came to the event early Saturday, Burley said, even before the official 10 a.m. start time.
“It’s busier than I thought … we’ve had a ton of traffic down here,” he said. “There is a need for the public, they want to go out and do things.
“When we first came out of public health orders, the phones started ringing, ‘are you doing this, are you doing that?’
The DKA will host a new car show on Bernard Avenue on August 20, and the Winter Street Market will return to downtown Kelowna in December.
“We might have a couple more surprises, too,” Burley said.
Saturday’s Block Party runs until 4pm