Every year, Chilliwack's biggest community party gets a little bit better.
Organizers has been working to fine tune the details of the Party in the Park, which kicks off for a four-Friday run this week (July 8).
Overall, it's the same great time locals have come to love, with music, food, family fun, and a market to enjoy.
"For a lot of it we're sticking with our strengths," says Kyle Williams, executive director of the Downtown Chilliwack BIA. "We will still have the same general setup, with local entertainment set up by Trevor McDonald, a food fair, the O'Connor Family Fun Zone."
They've improved the children's area even more, adding one more of the very popular bouncy castles. And they'll have "all hands on deck" at the face painting booth, to keep lines flowing smoothly.
The layout has been tweaked slightly this year, bringing the new Pop Up Market to Wellington and placing the food vendors in the parking lot between Mill St. and Young Rd. This will open up Mill Street for meandering between the park and other areas of the event.
"We haven't had the market on Wellington for four or five years now," Williams says. "It has a fresh new look and we want shoppers to go down there."
He said even though a bit of rainy drizzle is in the forecast for Friday, the event runs rain or shine. It would take heavy winds or lightning to shut down an event so large.
"We're not afraid of the rain, but we are afraid of bad weather," he explains.
Williams is looking forward to seeing all the planning come together.
"I think the event is great," he says. "It's always great to see all the people there. I love it when the crowd is there and the music is going and things are happening. It really reassures us that this event is worth working on.
He said there's always a point in the evening when "you catch your breath and look around and think, 'this is awesome.'"
While everything is in place for the opening event, they could always use a few more volunteers. Anyone interested in volunteering is asked to contact the BIA directly.
July 8 will include opening ceremonies (6:45 p.m.), with the stage show kicking off at about 5 p.m. Featured this week Capella Dance as an opening act, Darren Anker(5:25 p.m.), Paula DeWit (6:10 p.m.), Rockabilly J (7 p.m.), AC and the Wheat Kings (8 p.m.) and The Kwerks (9 p.m.)
Party in the Park will run for four consecutive Fridays (July 8, 15, 22 and 29). For those who want to enjoy even more live entertainment, there is a buskers stage outside Triple Play Pub. The Vineyard on Wellington is hosting four live bands every Friday night in their church, and Trevor McDonald is hosting bands at Triple Play and the Well in Chances Casino as after parties. July 8 will feature Rockabilly J at the Well, and AC and the Wheat Kings at Triple Play.