Entering its third year, ColwoodB次元官网网址檚 popular Eats and Beats festival at Esquimalt Lagoon continues to grow.

Despite having a picturesque setting, City communications manager Sandra Russell recalls that the municipality wasnB次元官网网址檛 sure what to expect when it launched the festival in the summer of 2015.

B次元官网网址淲e thought weB次元官网网址檇 have a fairly small event and we had three musicians and a smaller stage and three or four food trucks,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淎lmost a thousand people showed up.B次元官网网址�

Two years later, the festival is expanding beyond just great food and music, although that obviously remains the focus.

This year a climbing wall will be set up and kayak and stand up paddleboard demos will be available. Attendees will also get a chance to try out the new Hobie Eclipse, a boat thatB次元官网网址檚 part pedal boat and part stand up paddleboard, giving everyone a chance to work off whatever food they choose to indulge in.

And there will be plenty of options where thatB次元官网网址檚 concerned, as at least 10 food trucks will be on hand, from Mai MaiB次元官网网址檚 Asian fusion to Road Treasure Treats ice cream to Discovery CoffeeB次元官网网址檚 mobile java cart.

Adding to the ambiance will be at least four bands, all with a different playing style.

The County Line brings a modern country vibe, while Dug Nugget will supply high energy folk tunes. Ange Hehr, a popular regular at venues downtown, will perform a selection of familiar pop tunes and SweetLeaf will round it out with a mix of reggae and ska.

B次元官网网址淲e try and have something for everyone,B次元官网网址� Russell said.

She also noted that the festival, along with ColwoodB次元官网网址檚 regular Beach Food Fridays and Saturdays, wouldnB次元官网网址檛 be possible without the initial co-operation of nearby residents, who took to the idea from the start.

B次元官网网址淎ll of the neighbours thought it was a great idea B次元官网网址� it was a real success.B次元官网网址�

Parking will be available at the site for the July 15 event (from 1 until 9 p.m.) but Ocean Boulevard will be closed to through traffic. Walking and cycling to the site is encouraged, as is the use of public transit. A complimentary trolley shuttle will be available from the Colwood Transit Exchange next to the Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre.

joel.tansey@goldstreamgazette.com