The Downtown Chilliwack BIA is kicking off the summer with two big, free events.
First up, it’s the Fortin’s Village Classic Car Show on Sunday, June 23 where the streets of downtown Chilliwack will be packed with hundreds of vintage and collector vehicles.
Each year, thousands of people flock to Five Corners and the surrounding area to take a glimpse at shiny, mobile pieces of history as more than 300 cars, trucks and one-of-a-kind vehicles line the streets.
People wanting to enter their vehicle in the show can do so for a $10 entry fee (cash only). Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. and people are asked to come in via Yale Road at Princess Avenue.
The car show gets underway at 10 a.m. and goes until 3 p.m. with live music, food and a pageant featuring West Coast Pinups. The Lounge Hounds will be pumping out classic rock tunes starting at noon.
In the parking lot between Mill Street and Young Road, you’ll find a variety of food trucks and vendors.
Road closures for the Village Classic Car Show go from 6 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on June 23 and include: Young Road (between Princess Avenue and Bole Avenue), Yale Road (Princess Avenue to Nowell Street), Wellington Avenue (College Street to Young Road), Main Street (Wellington Avenue to Princess Avenue), and Mill Street.
Next up, it’s Party in the Park.
Every Friday evening in July, downtown Chilliwack transforms into a huge party of music, activities, family fun, food and more. This year’s dates are July 5, 12, 19 and 26 from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. each night.
The 2019 Chances Chilliwack Community Stage at Central Community Park will be packed with a mixed bag of local talent featuring country, rock, roots, blues, folk and indie original musical artists.
Six acts perform each night. On July 5, they are: Capella Dance, Ben Cottrill, The Maybelles, Joyride, Harma White and Waves Crash Down.
“The crowds will change from night to night depending on what bands are there, and we do see a change in demographics from week to week,” says Kyle Williams, executive director with the Business Improvement Association.
In addition to the main stage, there will be a busking stage in front of Triple Play Pub on Wellington, and a new community side stage in front of the Royal Hotel featuring break dancing, theatre and more.
Other highlights include the Family Fun Zone (located on the grass adjacent to Young Road) with face painting, bouncy castles and crafts; the Activity Zone (Bole Avenue) where clubs and associations will have interactive displays set up; plus the Chilliwack 4-H Dog Club, a pedal cart track at Main Street Church, and dozens of vendors including food trucks and a market.
New this year will be Fraser Valley Knockerball in the field at Central elementary. Knockerball (also known as “bubble soccer”) is a game played using large, inflatable balls — the balls are actually worn by the player and they cover the body from the knees up, leaving the feet free to run around.
Another new feature at Party in the Park will be an educational science booth presented by David Leger of Loop Energy. He’ll have small hydrogen-fuelled cars and a wind turbine set up.
If the weather is nice, upwards of 8,000 people flock to Party in the Park every evening.
“It’s really about the experience. We want people to come down, find out that it’s nice to walk around (downtown Chilliwack)… and spot something new,” he adds.
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