It was a day of fun, sun, and firsts in Colwood as the annual Eats and Beats Beach Party got underway.
SaturdayB次元官网网址檚 (July 29) event marked the first time the event was held away from the Esquimalt Lagoon, and the first time West Shore residents heard the new name for the site, which will now be called the Beachlands.
Formerly known as Royal Beach, that waterfront site is set to be developed into a major residential neighbourhood and serve as the home of major public events in the city, with this yearB次元官网网址檚 Eats and Beats officially kicking off the shift away from the lagoon.
B次元官网网址淚 think itB次元官网网址檚 going to be pretty packed tonight to be honest,B次元官网网址� said Mayor Doug Kobayashi. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 very happy with this. ItB次元官网网址檚 a new setup, there has been some grumbling, but this is where everything is going to start happening.B次元官网网址�
Where the event would usually close down Ocean Boulevard to take over the road with a large stage, food trucks, art vendors, and visitors, this yearB次元官网网址檚 new location allowed the city to avoid major traffic backups and spread the event out over a larger area.
At the lowest level of the site, visitors could relax on the beach, while just above them the stage was set up for bands including headliners The Zolas and several food trucks were available for snacks and refreshments. The large hill in front of the stage provided ample seating, while further up the site there was a vendor market, play areas for kids and shaded seating for families, as well as even more food trucks.
B次元官网网址淓ver since COVID, having these types of events has been just great for the morale of the community. I know everyone enjoys it, and you gotta love the price B次元官网网址� itB次元官网网址檚 free,B次元官网网址� said Kobayashi.
Eats and Beats Beach Party runs until 8 p.m. Saturday, with The Zolas taking the stage at 7 p.m. Parking is very limited, and visitors are encouraged to walk, bike, or park at Royal Bay Secondary School or the parking lot below the new Quality Foods in Royal Bay and hop on the shuttle bus to the site.
READ MORE: Royal Beach no more: Colwood development rebrands as The Beachlands
