As displays came down and the final products were sold Saturday evening, organizers at Sidewalk Days finally had a moment to reflect on this year’s event and how recent changes to the scheduling and over-all feel have turned out.
“This was spectacular,” said the chair of Sidewalk Days Theresa Gillis. “We actually had vendours pack up early because they sold out of their product.”
This year’s event reflected a shift in attitude for the committee who has been trying to make Sidewalk Days more appealing to sponsors. By changing the date from mid-June to early July, and adding more street entertainment and a 15 Wing air show to provide a more festival-like atmosphere, Gillis said they were hoping to bring in bigger crowds from both inside and outside Moose Jaw.
“We had great attendance,” she said. “I had vendours say that they travel with the circuit and this was the best Thursday, Friday, and Saturday that they’ve ever done.”
Businesses in the downtown district also seemed happy with the changes.
Kelly Hartman with Hart and Soul Clothing said she was extremely busy over the course of the three-day festival and blamed the increase on the change in dates.
“At first I was a little bit apprehensive because you look forward to this in June, but I think that it was a wise decision and I hope it continues on in July every year,” she said. “We had three beautiful, really busy days. It was really great.”
John Hunter from Hunter’s Menswear agreed. He said the July date allows the whole family to come down for the festivities because school is out and graduations are over.
For more on this story, read an upcoming edition of the Times-Herald.
