A local initiative is encouraging Vancouverites to ditch their vehicles this September.
After more than a decade of hosting "Car Free Days" along Commercial Drive, Main Street, and in the West End, the COVID-19 pandemic forced the Car Free Vancouver Society to move their events online in 2020. Rather than blocked-off roads and reclaimed public space, last year's Car Free Days were comprised of virtual events like concerts, scavenger hunts, and audio tours.
For its return in 2021, Car Free Vancouver is once again rolling out a re-imagined, revamped format.
Instead of Car Free Day, Vancouverites will this year be able to celebrate Car Free Month from Sunday, Aug. 29 to Saturday, Sept. 25, the society announced this week.
The decision to extend the initiative into a month-long festival comprised of several smaller events is intended to foster community spirit while adhering to public health guidelines. Over the four weeks, Car Free Vancouver will host a series of smaller-scale events like markets, performances, parklets, bike rides, audio tours and more, all intended to offer a peek at what Vancouver could look like with more space for pedestrians and less for cars.
"We feel that this aligns with what our supporters are looking for in our events, and that's a sense of community," the society explained in a release.
"By hosting a series of smaller events, we believe that the 'car free' vision can be experienced in neighbourhoods we have not reached before and provide more accessibility options, while also continuing to work with the partners that have supported us in previous years."
Stay tuned to Car Free Vancouver's website for more information as the festival approaches.
