There’s a party in Parksville and you’re invited.
Back for its fourth year, Party on the Drive, often deemed “Vancouver Island’s largest street party” is hitting the city this Sunday with more than 40 artists and entertainers lined up.
“It’s all about local art, nature and food together,” said co ordinator Cheryl Hodgson, who is spearheading this year’s event.
“There’s no vendors, nobody can be selling their products unless they are an artist… You have to be a local artist who makes jewellery or painted rocks or pottery, that’s the whole idea.”
Resort Drive will be transformed into an outdoor street celebration stretching from Riptide Lagoon to Sunrise Ridge Resort this weekend.
“Bring your dancing shoes,” said Hodgson. “There’s going to be music all day — everything from soft rock to duets to dance music.”
Hodgson said Johnny Inappropriate, Exit 51, Potential Trainwreck and Dave Marco are just some of the entertainers set to take the stage this weekend.
Additionally, there will be several food vendors offering everything from gourmet cotton candy to burgers and the resort restaurants will also be open.
Party on the Drive originated four years ago in an effort to bring more exposure to Parksville’s resort drive community — including the many businesses that operate in the neighbourhood. Since its inception, it has grown to host thousands of people.
New this year, Hodgson said there will be a free shuttle bus running every 20 to 30 minutes taking people up and down the drive. There will be stops at Ocean Sands, Ocean Trails, Madrona and Beach Acres.
Each of the seven resorts will have a show suite open to the public. Part of the philosophy behind Party on the Drive is to engage locals with Parksville’s hospitality industry.
“We’re trying to promote resort drive,” said Hodgson. “It’s about showing locals what we have at our back door so when they have company visiting asking about accommodations they can make recommendations.”
Attendees will get a card upon entering the event and those who visit all seven show suites and get their card stamped will be entered in a draw to win a gift basket generously put together by all the resorts worth more than $1,000.
Hodgson encouraged everybody to come down to the children friendly, dog friendly, free event.
“It’s going on rain or shine,” she said.
Party on the Drive will take over resort drive this Sunday, September 13 from 1-5 p.m.
For more information contact Cheryl Hodgson at 250-228-2008.