Sure, the summer season kept us waiting anxiously in June and for much of July. But it would seem now that the weather is (a bit) more certain, and regional, national, and international travelers are hitting the highways en route to their preferred summer destinations.
For a small town with big charm, getting these large numbers of people off the highway and into town can be a challenge.
Enderby & District has an advantage here (although some might call it a hindrance). Highway 97A cuts right through Enderby’s downtown core, offering us the opportunity to get travelers’ attention as they enter into our domain.
Of course, offering a visible and compelling reason to stop is the key ingredient.
The steering committee for the Enderby & District Vitalization Initiative, led by the Enderby & District Chamber of Commerce, recognized this opportunity, and through consultation with the Enderby Open Air Farmers Market, residents and merchants, the Cliff Avenue Pedestrian Market was born on July 6.
The general consensus was that the old location was too far removed from the visibility of the highway, so it was decided to move the market to Cliff Avenue (very visible from the highway) and enhance the market’s offering to include Enderby’s unique retailers and restaurants.
After four Fridays of layout adjustments and tweaks, the Cliff Avenue Pedestrian Market seems to have turned into the market of the summer in the region, drawing literally thousands of travelers off the highway and into Enderby. The market has also served as a way to re-energize Enderby, by becoming a social gathering place every Friday morning for residents, friends and relatives.
It is quite amazing to see the market gain weekly momentum and bring a bigger pulse to Enderby, where the Okanagan meets the Shuswap. Check it out every Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. all summer long.
The steering committee is also happy to announce the completion of the Splatsin Traditional Dugout Canoe display which sits proudly in front of the visitors centre at Belvidere Park. The display has received much attention and is a testament to what can be achieved when we all work together.
Lastly, in partnership with the Enderby & District Arts Council, the steering committee is supporting a call for local artists, working in all kinds of media, to attend an informal gathering on Wednesday, Aug. 22 at 7 p.m. at the chamber office (700 Railway Street) to discuss the possibility of an artists’ co-operative gallery in Enderby. This meeting will gauge the level of interest in the community for such a venture.
For more information on the Cliff Avenue Pedestrian Market, visit www.enderbychamber.com, or call the chamber at (250) 838-6727.
Darren Robinson is the executive director of the Enderby & District Chamber of Commerce.
