Car-Free Day is holding its inaugural New West fest this summer

Car-Free Days are popular street festivals that promote the growth of car-free culture and spaces. And the summertime tradition is now expanding to a new Metro Vancouver city.

The first Car-Free Day New West, hosted by the Downtown New West BIA and the City of New Westminster, is happening on Saturday, August 6 along Columbia Street.

The day-long event is presented by Translink and will feature four stages showcasing local musicians and artists, family activities, an artisan market, and a massive food truck festival.

 

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According to Kendra Johnston, executive director at the Downtown New West BIA, Car-Free Day New West is an evolution of the popular Columbia StrEAT Food Truck Fest.

“We’ve learned over the years that events need to evolve, grow and change in order to stay relevant, so after a forced two-year break due to COVID, this was the time to rethink everything,” said Johnston in a release. “After much consideration, we have decided that now is the time to try something new. Hence our decision to move forward with Car-Free Day, which will still involve some food trucks, but be much more focused on sustainability and community.”

Downtown New West BIA/Submitted

Columbia StrEAT Food Truck Fest will be featured as a new zone at Car-Free Day New West, which will have lots for attendees to see and do. There will be TransLink installations, a beer garden, family-friendly entertainers, and exhibitors to discover.

The event is also an opportunity to learn more about the future of transportation in our region.

“Car-Free Day is a terrific opportunity to bring the local community together to experience the best of their neighbourhoods in an environmentally sustainable way, by using transit, walking, or cycling,” said TransLink CEO Kevin Quinn in a statement. “This summer, we want to encourage more people to get out of their cars and explore our vibrant region using transit.”

Downtown New West BIA/Submitted

Applications to be an artisan vendor, a commercial vendor, food truck, performer, or a volunteer are now open online.

For more information on upcoming Car-Free Days, visit carfree.ca.