The Parksville Beach Festival Society has requested a little help from the City of Parksville as it gears up for the summer of 2022.
A letter from the event manager for the PBFS, Patty Blomberg, was received by council during their regular Wednesday, Feb. 23 meeting. The letter, dated Feb. 8, read the continued support from the city for the festival has been invaluable.
“After a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19, the Parksville Beach Festival is planning its return July 15 to Aug. 21, 2022, at the Parksville Community Park,” read the letter, adding the beach festival is Parksville’s annual signature event and draws thousands of visitors to the community each summer.
“The economic benefit to our region was reported to have been over $18 million in 2016, based on an economic impact assessment that was conducted in partnership with Parksville Qualicum Beach Tourism.”
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Blomberg wrote the society requests financial support from the city in the amount of $5,000 to assist with the cost of sand for the 2022 sand sculpting competition and exhibition.
“Each year the sand is brought in and at the completion of the event, the sand is donated back to the city for their use. With the rising costs of transportation and accessibility for sand, the expense to the society continues to increase. Our budget for sand has once again been increased to $20,000 for 2022. It is with the support of the City of Parksville and other community members that allows the Parksville Beach Festival Society to grow and host such a community event that draws visitors from all around. If the summer of 2021 was any indication of the number of people looking to come to the (Parksville Qualicum Beach) community during this period, we have no doubt that the event will be another resounding success,” read the letter.
Council decided to provide the funding immediately to the society after Blomberg’s letter was received.