About 140 vendors are expected at the Summer by the Sea street market in downtown Parksville. (file photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

parksville market

‘It’s a really big deal:’ huge crowds expected for popular Parksville street market

Jun 4, 2024 | 6:44 AM

PARKSVILLE —A regional draw bringing vibrancy and an economic boost to Parksville’s downtown core has returned.

The annual Summer by the Sea Street Market takes place every Tuesday evening from 6 p.m. through 9 p.m. from June 4 through Aug. 21.

In its 21st year of operation, the Parksville and District Chamber of Commerce hosted event will draw over 140 vendors weekly this year, noted assistant coordinator Wendy Nowell.

Musical entertainment is also provided at the free event, she said.

“It really is a big deal, it’s one of the biggest markets on the Island. It attracts a lot of visitors, a lot of locals come out,” Nowell told NanaimoNewsNOW.

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During the market, Nowell said Craig St., along with Middleton Ave. and Hirst Ave. transform into a collection of booths operated by local and regional merchants, artists and farmers.

She said several food trucks have their own dedicated space on Hirst Ave.

Aside from drawing an increasing number of tourists as the market advances into the summer, Nowell noted locals also get better connected with local businesses.

“All of the businesses on Craig St. are benefitting from this and the locals are experiencing some of these businesses that they might not have got the opportunity to see before,” Nowell said.

The Summer by the Sea Street Market was a key inspiration to launch the Commercial Street Night Market in Nanaimo in 2018.

Nanaimo’s weekly annual night market experience starts on Thursday, June 13.

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Ian.holmes@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes