Graham Dyck sings with Streetfest audience member Donna Lummerding during the Humboldt Streetfest on Aug. 19. (Becky Zimmer/northeastNOW Staff)

By Becky Zimmer

Dancing in the street(fest)

Celebrating Humboldt’s downtown with the return of Streetfest

Aug 19, 2021 | 6:10 PM

After a summer of silent streets, the Humboldt Downtown Business Improvement District (BID) has returned with their annual Streetfest.

This year was only a one-day event on Aug. 19 compared to the multi-day event normally held to celebrate Humboldt’s main street. The atmosphere was familiar with vendors, music, and food getting people out on a beautiful if overcast August day.

General manager of the BID Brent Fitzpatrick said that planning for these types events always start in early spring but COVID uncertainties threw a wrench into planning for this year’s event.

In the end a few outside vendors, like Lechon King Eatery out of Saskatoon as well as some home-based vendors, were able to get out on 7th Street along with some downtown businesses taking their business to the sidewalk. Graham Dyck and Walter Bushman gave concerts in front of the Humboldt and District Museum.

Princess and Baltazar DG at the Lechon King Eatery booth. (Becky Zimmer/northeastNOW Staff)

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Giving businesses the opportunities to get out there and interact with people is what Streetfest is all about, said Brent, especially now that COVID has made that a challenge.

“Other businesses have just adjusted their in-store routines and whatever else they had to do. So it’s really worked out, I think, very well for them.”

Brent has only heard of one business that didn’t survive the last 18 months which is pretty exciting to hear considering there are 400 businesses registered with the City of Humboldt with the Humboldt and District Chamber represents 200 in the Humboldt area.

Director of Cultural Services, Jennifer Fitzpatrick, knows the importance of Humboldt’s Downtown with the Humboldt and District Museum and Gallery being at the city’s epicentre.

Jennifer was excited to see everyone out enjoying the downtown, some even dancing in the street, especially the kids who were encouraged to create beautiful chalk art for the festivities care of the museum.

Chalk art in front of the Humboldt and District Museum during Streetfest. (Becky Zimmer/northeastNOW Staff)

If COVID has taught us anything, said Jennifer, it is that people still crave events like Streetfest.

“People need to connect and we know that people need to still have arts and cultural events, they still want to connect with their heritage and so our challenge was just to find different ways to do that. So we’ve really gone virtual with a lot of stuff. We’ve really tried to make sure all our public spaces are really safe.”

The Humboldt and District SPCA was also out in force with a burger lunch sale.

While the last two years have been challenged due to not being able to go out and fundraise, people have still been donating cans and bottles to the SPCA as well as participating in online auctions and raffles, said Lori Warfold.

Getting to see everyone was wonderful, said fellow volunteer Deb Kuipers, and they had some great volunteers for the event, including head coach Scott Barney and Humboldt Broncos players.

The Humboldt Broncos were out in force helping the Humboldt and District SPCA with their burger lunch fundraiser at the Humboldt Streetfest. Pictured (L to R): Scott Barney, Kade Olsen, Rory McGowan, and Curtis Toneff. (Becky Zimmer/northeastNOW Staff)

Brent would like to thank everyone for coming out to enjoy the Streetfest. Next year will be back to the full Streetfest experience, he said.

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