Main St. Car Free Fest. It ruled.

The Car Free Festivals are a somewhat new phenomenon in Vancouver. It started about 4 years ago on Commercial Drive and was such a huge success that they've migrated to other neighborhoods around the city. Streets are shut down to cars in 4 different 'hoods now.

Car Free Day happened Sunday June 14th and it was a blast! I didn't even get to see it all, as I was set up at 17th and Main for the Blim market along with about 40 other vendors selling my stuff. But with Main St. shut down from Broadway all the way up to 25th, there was crazy festiveness in the air and all the passerby's were in a fantastic mood!
I was happy to see Carol from Cheese and Chutney (and her lovely partner Keith) setting up beside me. I used to work with Carol one summer at the Farmer's Market. These days, she's making the cutest little "Cuddle Cups" - how adorable are these? She hand-throws them on the pottery wheel, and uses recycled wool sweaters to make the wee bands around the centre. You can't see it in the photo, but there's a textured area underneath the wool band so it won't slip off. Smart design. Plus, you can take off the wool cozie and pop it in the wash if you spill on it. These are a new item for Cheese and Chutney, so they're not available on-line yet. They ARE available at; Kingsmill Pottery Shop on Granville Island, 1620 Johnston St. They will also be at the Harmony Arts Fest in Ambleside, West Van, July 31st, August 1,2,3. Or you can email her at cheeseandchutney1@gmail.com.

The Blim market shut down at 6pm, but the Street Fest went until 8pm, so I was able to catch up with some friends, watch some live music and DJ's, and be entertained by some really wasted hipsters so ironic that one of them was on roller blades. They ended up on the pavement and started drawing on one of their friends with sidewalk chalk. Apparently it really tickles.

If you haven't come out to one of the Car Free Day neighbourhoods yet, try to come out next year. It's a great way to connect with the community, has great people watching and free entertainment. What's not to love?


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