To quote the Irish Rovers, “Wasn’t that a party?”
Steveston outdid itself with the July 1 festivities this year. It was incredible to see so many people out celebrating, decked in red and white.
We’ve been getting a number of comments on the Richmond News Facebook page about the day. The vast majority are positive. People loved the spirit.
Some said how they liked having the different venues spread throughout “The Village.” This year, because it was Canada’s 150th, the Salmon Fest ,with its parade and salmon bake, et al, was added to with stages and roving performers throughout Steveston.
There were complaints about parking, or the lack there of. Perhaps organizers needed to do a better job with shuttle buses, but it’s important to keep cars as far back as possible. Steveston just can’t handle that kind of traffic. Besides, the fact the streets are completely overwhelmed by pedestrians is a big part of what makes the event so special.
There was also a comment about the wisdom of trying to make it a two-day event.
“One suggestion — one day is enough. Stretching the event over two days was a bit much for everyone, including those of us living immediately adjacent to the entertainment venues. Crowds were also thin on Sunday but a lot of human and financial resources went into sustaining the second day. But, all in all, it was a great event.”
In fact, I doubt many even knew there was a second day.
I went for a swim at the Steveston Pool on Sunday. And while it was nice to be serenaded with “In the Midnight Hour” while I did my lengths, there wasn’t more than 20 people in front of the stage.
Speaking of that mainstage, unlike in the past, this year it was in the parking lot on the south side of Moncton. Also new was a beer garden. While the location was great, particularly for a bigger crowd, the beer garden, which could have been mistaken for a dog park, was somewhat lacking. You couldn’t see the band — at all, and there were no chairs.
That said, the bands I heard, Thor (talk about a high school dance flashback) and the Powder Blues Band, were great. And all was forgiven with glorious fireworks.
As I recall walking away from the water’s edge jostling with thousands of other cheerful revelers through the streets, another Facebook post comes to mind, albeit regarding an unrelated story.
“Ubuntu, in Zulu (means), ‘I am because we are.’ We are all more connected than we know.”
And that is a connection really worth celebrating.
