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鈥檚 biggest headliners kicks off on Friday, (Aug. 8). Campers for the event will be arriving on Thursday (Aug. 7), stated the District of Squamish.聽
鈥淥ne of the things that we have tried to do is work with the music festival to get the most comprehensive picture as we can,鈥� district spokesperson Christina Moore said.聽
The festival鈥檚 campers will be checking in at south Britannia Beach in the 20-acre property known as the Makin Lands. From there, they鈥檒l be directed to one of 9,400 parking spots and shuttled into one of three campsites 鈥� 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.聽
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.聽
Approximately 75 per cent of the campers are anticipated to arrive on Thursday, Moore said.聽
鈥淲e are expecting that to be a very busy day on the highway,鈥� she said.
Throughout the event the festival grounds won鈥檛 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.聽
鈥淭here is a great amount of activity that is going to happen downtown,鈥� Moore noted.聽
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鈥檚 zone, bouncy castles and music.聽
On the Farm Country Market is opening early throughout the festival. From 7 a.m. onward, the outdoor shopping centre will be humming.聽
Moore advised residents that don鈥檛 want to be a part of the event to plan their weekends. Squamish鈥檚 streets will be quieter after 1 p.m., when the festival鈥檚 music strikes up.聽
鈥淭his is really an exciting opportunity for Squamish to welcome the world,鈥� she said, noting the international media attention. 鈥淲e encourage people to be great ambassadors to our town.鈥�
