The Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury will be opening up CarrotFest Friday to out-of-town vendors for the first time this year - that is, if CarrotFest goes ahead.
The street festival, voted one of Ontario’s Top 100 festivals, takes place on the third weekend in August. The Friday event, which features a classic car show, children’s play zone, and live music, has traditionally been limited to local vendors and businesses, while Saturday’s main event features vendors from across Ontario.
The recommendation came to council on April 7, urging the town to continue to give local businesses preferential treatment on Friday, but to make any additional spaces available to outside vendors, for $50 per space.
“It’s more filling it in,” explained Coun. Gary Baynes.
“We do have the room,” agreed Director of Community Services Terry Foran. He supported opening the evening up to outside vendors, “just to make it more of an event on the Friday night.”
The $50 fee, charged to outside vendors, would help offset an existing deficit.
“If you look at other communities, it’s still minor,” said Coun. Mark Contois of the proposed fee.
Coun. Peter Dykie agreed. “Best venue for the dollar. Best bang for the buck, for CarrotFest,” he said.
Council approved the recommendation, but raised the question of whether CarrotFest will be going ahead this year.
Coun. Peter Ferragine noted that vendors “need to know months in advance,” if an event is taking place. Considering the large crowds attracted to CarrotFest – up to 30,000 people at the Saturday street festival - he wondered if COVID-19 restrictions would be lifted by August.
“Something we have to think about,” agreed Mayor Rob Keffer.
“We are piecing together critical milestone dates,” said Foran, noting that the Leisure Services team would be meeting the following day “on this whole matter, as to what our June, July and August will look like.”
He promised to keep council informed.
