Representatives of the new organizing committee for Sea Cavalcade gave Gibsons council a preview of what they’re working on for the return of the festival after a one-year hiatus.
Chair Phill Murray was joined by committee members Joanne Chiasson and Bo Smith to make a presentation March 10, as part of council’s review of funding requests from community organizations for the 2020 budget.
Sea Cavalcade has been a line item in the Town budget for several years, and is slated to get $15,000 in 2020.
“Our executive plans to hold the traditional Sea Cavalcade that all have come to expect with a funding base to support it. Funds have come from the Town of Gibsons and the Sunshine Coast Regional District [rural] areas to provide a foundation,” Murray told the committee, adding that the organizers are also working to bring local and corporate sponsors such as Telus on board.
“Sea Cavalcade 2020 is being delivered,” Murray said before outlining some of the fundraising efforts and new events being planned under the theme of “Gibsons Good Times,” such as a vintage motorcycle show, a fishing derby, and a sailing regatta in partnership with the Gibsons Sailing Club.
Chiasson and Smith talked about the ideas they’re working on specifically.
Chiasson is heading up efforts to attract sponsors, and to publish a “mermen” calendar, inspired by an idea that’s been a big fundraising hit in Atlantic Canada. “This would be an opportunity for advertising for those who sponsor … and this would be a repeatable fundraiser year after year.”
Smith, who was one of the creators of the Ghosts of Graffiti exhibit at the Gibsons Public Art Gallery earlier this year, is working on an event that will focus on local street art.
Fireworks were not mentioned, but in past years the Town’s contribution to the Sea Cavalcade budget has been earmarked to support the pyrotechnics.
“Sea Cavalcade has attracted large crowds in the past – 10 to 15,000… It creates employment in certain sectors, stimulates our local economy and provides a cash injection for local businesses,” Murray said.
Murray also acknowledged that Sea Cav organizers, like many planning large public events across B.C., are following developments around the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are aware of this contingency and our responsibility for public-minded behaviour … and we will be guided by the advice of our leaders and experts in the field. I assure you that best practices will be followed.”
Following the presentation, Mayor Bill Beamish thanked Murray and the others for “stepping up” after the 2019 event was cancelled.
“We did miss Sea Cavalcade last year and it was good to hear that things were happening in the background and there was intention to come forward… I understand the complexity and challenge you face coming up with a project,” Beamish said.
