The major details will come later. The important thing, for now, is the announcement about the return of the Cowichan Craft Beer & Food Festival to Chemainus Aug. 13.
It’s been a long time since the last one in 2017 and many people will recall its location at the former Artisan Village grounds off Elm Street proved to be ideal. That’s no longer available due to construction, but other equally suitable spots are being proposed.
These types of events require months of planning so that’s why the announcement is coming out now. The hope, of course, is COVID won’t rear its ugly head to the extent that severe restrictions are required again.
Festivals can’t very well be held in limbo a few months to see what happens and then have organizers make a decision. That’s the reason so many events were cancelled during the last two years because there simply was no light at the end of the tunnel.
There is now, barring a spike in cases, but that bridge will have to be crossed when the time comes. Organizers are cautiously optimistic they can proceed with the thought conditions will at least be the same – or even better – than they are now.
A festival such as this means so much to a community like Chemainus, especially in light of what’s been going on during the last two years.
When a great deal of the town’s economy is tourist-based, it’s been devastating not to have events that are a natural draw for bringing people into the community.
Combined with severe weather events that shut down town businesses for long periods of time the last few years, it’s been tough for so many to keep beating adversity.
Everyone deserves a break and a change of fortune. Looking ahead to the craft beer and food festival might be just the tonic.
It’s expected other community groups will follow suit and many probably already have plans in the works for the summer for a return to normal.
Chemainus has a lot of lost time to make up, but staying positive is about all that can be done at this point.