One Eats and Beats just isnB次元官网网址檛 enough.

The overwhelming success of last yearB次元官网网址檚 summer waterfront event has sparked even more interest in bringing Colwood residents together.

Colwood Coun. Lilja Chong said council not only supports the event, but the idea of family-friendly outdoor events and hopes for more like it moving forward.

B次元官网网址淲e had a very good turnout and (were) happy to see more people show up than originally thought,B次元官网网址� Chong said.

B次元官网网址�(Our four food trucks) they all sold out, we had a really great turnout and everyone I talked to was happy and so pleased something like Eats and Beats was held.B次元官网网址�

The success of the Aug. 28 event, led council to earmark $10,000 for a return to the Esquimalt Lagoon, possibly in July, with an even bigger footprint than last yearB次元官网网址檚 event.

The success may have also paved way for another potential Colwood outdoor event entitled the Colwood Heritage Picnic, which is tentatively scheduled for September.

Chong is hoping for another community outreach event that will link youth and families with the heritage of the area, specifically ColwoodB次元官网网址檚 heritage.

B次元官网网址淪ome ideas include partnerships with Fort Rodd Hill, West Shore Parks and Recreation and we had some ideas like carriage rides, folk music from local artists, and more,B次元官网网址� she said.

The B次元官网网址榤oreB次元官网网址� might also include activities such as local Celtic and folk music, food trucks, kite making, potato sack races, puppet shows and a scavenger hunt.

Chong said itB次元官网网址檚 all about free family events.

B次元官网网址淯nfortunately we werenB次元官网网址檛 able to find an available grant but we hope to make the funds through fundraising, and not taxation, and partners willing to help,B次元官网网址� she said.

B次元官网网址淩ight now our biggest challenge and goal is a sponsor, (Fort Rodd Hill) can save the date but not waive the admission fees,B次元官网网址� she added.

A meeting was scheduled for after the GazetteB次元官网网址檚 press deadline on Wednesday to discuss a future event that could even feature an art contest.

That contest would see dozens of artists pull a location from a hat, paint there for three hours and submit their work to a jury.

But this push for outdoor events may not be limited to Colwood.

B次元官网网址淚t isnB次元官网网址檛 just here in Colwood, but an Island thing. I have been noticing (outdoor) events blow up and some are because we have been lucky with the weather, longer summers, longer great weather so that is one thing,B次元官网网址� she said.

B次元官网网址�(But) also the Island is growing and people just want to get out there and do things with families, meet people and interact,B次元官网网址� she added.

Chong pointed to four separate food trucks at Eats and Beats in 2015 coming prepared to serve approximately 300 people as proof. All four trucks sold out of their food completely.

B次元官网网址淚 know the demand is there, I hope we can spread the word further ... more artists, more food and get the open market we didnB次元官网网址檛 get last year,B次元官网网址� she said.

B次元官网网址淢y hopes is to really reach out and make it all about community and get local vendors and local artists, just really bring everyone together.B次元官网网址�

alim@goldstreamgazette.com