To celebrate the end of summer, hit the streets of Gastown for Meet Me in Gastown, a free family-friendly event on Thursday, August 31 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The free community event includes live music, street performers, art demonstrations, games, and special sales. A special finale performance features the Vancouver Metropolitan Orchestra and a surprise guest.
Hosted by Low Tide Properties with support from the Gastown Business Improvement Society, PCI Developments, Reliance Properties, and The Salient Group, the event will partially close Water Street from Abbott Street to Carrall Street, to celebrate Gastown’s unique heritage and community.
Harmony Cornwell, Director of Property Management and Operations at Low Tide Properties, is looking forward to bringing back this community-focused event to Gastown for the second time. “Meet Me in Gastown is a major highlight for our community during the summer,” says Cornwell. “This event showcases all that Gastown has to offer and brings our local businesses, residents, and visitors together to celebrate the historic and vibrant atmosphere that Gastown holds.”
The afternoon begins with performances by Emmett Jerome from 3 to 3:45 p.m. and Hayley Wallis from 4:15 to 5 p.m. at the Maple Tree Square Stage. Emmett Jerome is a Vancouver-based roots musician who plays a mixture of classic country, blues, jazz, and bluegrass music. Vancouver singer-songwriter Hayley Wallis has released a pop EP and two singles. The Indigenous performer is part of the Kitasoo/Xais’xais Nation from Klemtu in B.C.’s Great Bear Rainforest.
Additional musical acts, including local folk singer-songwriter Alannah Clark, Katie Stewart, and guitarist and vocalist Lee Nichols, will perform with a roving horn band moving around the festival in Maple Tree Square and along Water and Abbott Streets. Local artists including Arega Grigoryan, Katherine Cross, Olivia Di Liberto, and Paige Jung will add live art demonstrations.
Along Water Street, visitors can shop at local businesses and engage in activities like a boot toss, arcade games, and a free floral bouquet station. Picnic tables will be set up along the street for attendees to enjoy takeout from neighboring restaurants including MeeT, Local, and the Water Street Café. Monarca and Guilt & Co. have extended their patios on Carrall Alley.
If you’re an oyster fan, check out the Portside Pub oyster shucking competition at 5:30 p.m. Participating restaurants include Pourhouse and The Old Spaghetti Factory.
A number of Gastown restaurants are offering discounts and specials. Brioche is offering 10% off on pasta and paninis, which you can wash down with 15% off beverages at Café Kitsune, or an all-day happy hour at Pourhouse. For dessert, try Waffleland’s mini waffles and blueberry lemonade.
Several stores are offering special sales. Buy two sale items at Gravity Pope and receive an extra 50% off and chances to win prizes including socks, hats, and shoes. Tees are giving a free t-shirt with a purchase, Somn offers a mystery bag with purchases of $60 or more, and Maison Kitsune offers a gift with a purchase of $250 or more. The Latest Scoop offers sales and discounts at their booth and wine tasting at their store. Deville Coffee (333 Seymour St) will be giving away event tote bags with purchases while supplies last.
Meet Me in Gastown will end with a performance by the Vancouver Metropolitan Orchestra (VMO) at the Abbott Street Stage from 5 to 5:45 and 6:15 to 7 p.m. at the Abbott Street Stage with a surprise grand finale guest performer. The VMO is a non-profit society founded by Maestro Kenneth Hsieh in 2003. It is “dedicated to the artistic, personal, and professional development of outstanding young musicians. We strongly believe that by providing such development opportunities, we are preparing our young musicians for leadership opportunities in orchestras and ensembles around the world.”
Date: Thursday, August 31st
Location: Gastown
Admission: Free
