Car-free days in the Tri-Cities and Burnaby are ready to roll, even as three similar events in Vancouver have been cancelled.
Vancouver Car Free Days announced March 2 the three festivals it organizes, for Main and Denman streets as well as Commercial Drive, are being put on hold.
“Rising operational costs, changes to grant funding and operational support, have moved us to a certain place where the risk of proceeding at this time is too high to mitigate,” the group said in a post on its Facebook page.
The organization said it will take the year off to take stock and consult with progressive politicians, other aligned groups and members of the community to see how the events “might transform.”
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Port Moody Mayor Meghan Lahti confirmed on social media the city’s closure of St. Johns Street for its car-free community celebration will occur as scheduled on Sunday, Aug. 16.
Port Moody’s car-free day has become an annual summer staple since 2017, although it was paused during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Last year, more than 25,000 residents and visitors leisurely strolled along the city’s main thoroughfare west of Moody Street to enjoy live music, food trucks and artisan booths, as well as participating in family-friendly activities.
In 2024, Port Moody rolled its annual community fair that’s normally held outside city hall into the car-free festivities so it could save about $14,000.
During deliberations of the city’s 2026 budget, council declined to cut or scale back its commitment to stage community events — including Car Free Day — to save money. The 2024 festival was budgeted to cost about $124,000, some of which was recouped from sponsorships.
‘Popular community event’
Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West told Freshet News his community’s Car Free Day on Saturday, Aug. 29, will also proceed as planned.
“Car Free Day has become a popular community event in Port Coquitlam, bringing people together to enjoy local businesses, live entertainment and active transportation in the hear of our city,” West said of the event, that takes over McAllister Avenue as well as Leigh Square.
Last year’s Car Free Day cost about $90,000, of which half was recovered through sponsorships.
A spokesperson for the City of Burnaby said its inaugural Car Free Day on Edmonds Street last summer was such a hit with its 25,000 visitors it will be back on Sunday, Aug. 30.
Public affairs officer Cole Wagner said 95 per cent of respondents to a survey conducted after the event said it gave them a sense of pride in the city.
Wagner said the result “speaks to how meaningful and impactful the experience was for the community.”
The budget for this year’s Car Free Day is $398,000, which will be supplemented by sponsorship from Translink and other partners.
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