By: Kathy Funk :: Wednesday Aug 3, 2011

9,000 People Celebrate Party in the Park Grand Finale

Earlier this year the Downtown Chilliwack Business Improvement Association (BIA) was awarded the 'Best in the West' trophy for the Coast Capital Savings Party in the Park, recognizing BC's best in the category of Marketing, Promotions & Special Events. This season spoke volumes to this award as thousands of people attended each week and the event was a huge success.

Ken Popove, chair of the BIA Special Events Committee commented, "It takes a lot of people to make this event successful and we could not have done it without our corporate sponsors, our great staff, the over 50 community volunteers who work countless hours and the people of this community who attend”.  Aaron Pritchett drew a large crowd along with the ever-popular Steve “Elvis” Elliot.  Closing the evening was Pardon My Striptease, a successful local band.

Kathy Funk, Executive Director said, “Another highlight was seeing ten year old Sequel Adamson win the family trip to Disney." Her dad said, “Sequel did it all on her own, reminding him weekly that they needed to go to Your Floors, sponsor of this contest, to pick up the clue and then off to enter at Party in the Park.” 

The return of the O’Connor Sunset Cruisin’ Car Show was also a highlight, with Grant Hangraf winning the People’s Choice trophy for his 1957 T-Bird. The Royal LePage Wheeler Cheam Night Market grew to over 95 vendors and the exciting Safeway/Prime Signs Family Fun Zone saw thousands of youngsters enjoy everything from Activity Centre, Lil' Crafters to the Lil' Gardeners.

 "The Party Goes Green" is a story that needs to be told about the countless volunteers who worked at the waste diversion stations, sponsored by the City of Chilliwack.  We were able to divert from the landfill over 65% of the waste generated at Party in the Park. The BIA also introduced reusable water bottles and Valley Water provided unlimited water as part of our initiative to go green.

The BIA is already actively seeking sponsors, volunteers and performers to be involved in next year’s event.