The TD Uptown Live! Street Party is centred around great music, but that isn’t the only fun to be had.
The festival, which takes place on Saturday, July 21 from noon to 9 p.m., is at Sixth Street and Sixth Avenue.
This is its sixth year, according to Douglas Smith, managing partner at Alliance West Sports and Entertainment, which produces the event on behalf of the Uptown New Westminster BIA and City of New Westminster.
“We’ve spent a lot of time curating performers and we think we’ve got an absolutely incredible lineup, headlined by Hey Ocean!,” he said.
There are four stages this year – the TD Main Stage, Douglas College Stage, Key West Ford Stage and London Drugs Stage.
“We’ve always tried to make this event all about the music, it doesn’t matter what stage you’re hanging out at, you’re going to see quality music,” he added.
The key to a good event is finding the right talent, Smith said.
“Over the years we’ve booked a lot of bands that went on to the fair degree of notoriety,” he said, mentioning the Boom Booms, The Zolas and The Matinee, among others.
Kevin Schallie of Live Acts Canada is the music director, and helps find and book the acts.
While music is important, there are other many other elements to Uptown Live! including an ax-throwing area, with special stalls; the Top Shot Hockey Competition; a climbing wall; a beer garden by Cariboo Brewing that also includes wine, cider and vodka coolers; 20 food trucks; artisan vendors; and more.
“We think we’re going to have a really cool vibe,” Smith said. “We’ve always thought that if we get great music it’s going to be accessible to everybody, and we’ve proven that over the years.”
