‘It makes us a stronger community’
Ice cream has been in high demand this week, according to Shelley Patterson. She hopes to have her hands full today scooping the creamy treat during the Cathedral Village Arts Festival (CVAF) street fair.
“I would say my business probably triples (the Saturday of the festival) as long as the weather is nice,” said Patterson, owner of Dessart Sweets Ice Cream and Candy Store
Since Monday, Regina’s Cathedral Village has buzzed with family-friendly activities, performances and workshops for the annual festival.
Today is the last day of the event, and with the street fair, Patterson expects it to be the busiest.
“The weather has just been phenomenal this week. I’ve never seen anything like it and I’ve been in business for 13 years. I think (there’s) probably going to be record turnouts for everything,” said Patterson.
The fair will feature more than 300 artisans and a variety of performances throughout the day. There will also be kids’ activities and events in Holy Rosary Park in the afternoon. In the evening, there will be several music performances around the neighbourhood.
This is the 24th year of the CVAF. Brent Kramer, the president of the Cathedral Area Community Association, said the festival began when a few board members from the association decided to add some flare to the community.
“It had very humble beginnings, from being a street fair craft market to, over the years, expanding into what it is now,” said Kramer.
This year, the street fair has been extended to alleviate congestion. It will run along 13th Avenue from Angus to Elphinstone Street. Kramer said he expects the streets will still be full.
“If the weather is what they are predicting, I think it’s going to be outstanding and just jam-packed,” said Kramer.
Bernadette Wagner, chair of the CVAF, said they typically see about 40,000 people out on the Saturday. This year, with sun and a daytime high of 25 C predicted, she expects they will see 50,000.
“We’re not just a little neighbourhood thing, (we’re) also a cultural organization in the province.
“We see ourselves as fulfilling a real role for Saskatchewan tourism, for Regina tourism and certainly for our neighbourhood,” said Wagner.
“It brings us together and makes us a stronger community.”
Kramer said the businesses in the area are quite supportive of the festival.
“Their one-day sales are pretty outstanding,” said Kramer.
“It helps them stay afloat for the rest of the year and brings people to their doors that might not normally notice them or see them.”
Kramer described the atmosphere as “electric,” and said the festival shines a light on what the community has to offer.
“Just seeing all the extra people on the street with smiles on their faces, (getting) ice cream cones between venues, (it’s) just exciting,” said Kramer.