With the town expected to triple in size, municipal officials are advising residents to organize their errands around the Squamish Valley Music Festival.
The three-days featuring some of the music world’s biggest headliners kicks off on Friday, (Aug. 8). Campers for the event will be arriving on Thursday (Aug. 7), stated the District of Squamish.
“One of the things that we have tried to do is work with the music festival to get the most comprehensive picture as we can,” district spokesperson Christina Moore said.
The festival’s campers will be checking in at south Britannia Beach in the 20-acre property known as the Makin Lands. From there, they’ll be directed to one of 9,400 parking spots and shuttled into one of three campsites — one in the Squamish Business Park, south of North Yards neighbourhood, one at Squamish Elementary School and the family camping area at Mamquam Elementary School.
The parking lots are scattered around town in an effort to break up traffic flow, including the former Winter Olympic parking lot on Queens Way.
Approximately 75 per cent of the campers are anticipated to arrive on Thursday, Moore said.
“We are expecting that to be a very busy day on the highway,” she said.
Throughout the event the festival grounds won’t be open until 1 p.m. This year, festival organizers are encouraging concertgoers to explore Squamish. Shuttles will be running between the campsites, the Squamish Adventure Centre, downtown and the Sea to Sky Gondola. At the gondola, people with festival wristbands will be given $5 off their tickets.
“There is a great amount of activity that is going to happen downtown,” Moore noted.
The Squamish Adventure Centre will offer concertgoers a 10 per cent discount on bicycle rentals and Cleveland Avenue will be bustling with the third annual On the Street Festival. On Friday, the street party kicks off with live music performances and late night shopping. Saturday and Sunday feature a pancake breakfast from 9 a.m. until noon; there will be sidewalk sales, a kid’s zone, bouncy castles and music.
On the Farm Country Market is opening early throughout the festival. From 7 a.m. onward, the outdoor shopping centre will be humming.
Moore advised residents that don’t want to be a part of the event to plan their weekends. Squamish’s streets will be quieter after 1 p.m., when the festival’s music strikes up.
“This is really an exciting opportunity for Squamish to welcome the world,” she said, noting the international media attention. “We encourage people to be great ambassadors to our town.”
