The Downtown Chilliwack Business Improvement Association (BIA) has been awarded the “Best in the West” trophy in the category of Marketing, Promotions and Special Events recognizing B.C.’s best Business Improvement Area to employ promotions, special events, branding and media relations to support their programs and services.
Ken Popove, president and chair of the BIA special events committee along with Kathy Funk, executive director were on hand along with BIA staff to receive the award, judged by Small Business BC. Said Popove: “It takes a lot of people to make this event successful and we could not have done it without our corporate sponsors, our great staff and the over 50 community volunteers who have collectively won this award today.”
Funk said, “I am overwhelmed and honoured to receive this award amongst some of the stiffest competition from around the province, over 40 entries were received for Best in the West awards and we did it.” She also noted that the local BIA made it to the top three BIAs for the category of “Community Programs and Partnerships”.
Party in the Park runs eight Friday nights in July and August and boasts of over 4,000 people in attendance. The event is home to the Family Fun Zone, Night Market and entertainment stage and it all happens at Central Community Park in the heart of Downtown Chilliwack. It all began five years ago with a brainstorming session between Popove and Funk and together evolved as staff and community helped grow the event.