Once again, the highlight of my East Van life. So much fun. :)

Big props to the many volunteers who made this happen - as far as I know, no one earned a cent. Hundreds of volunteers and a group of 70 core organizers.

The idea for this festival was largely born from the minds of the people who brought you Momentum magazine. Visionaries, I tell you, and proof positive that ordinary people can make their dreams come true.

Here's to a world with more community, less cars, more dancing, less pettiness, more love, and less isolation. Take back your streets and party in them with your neighbours. :)

Upcoming this Sunday, in the wonderful Republic of East Vancouver, is the Car Free Commercial Drive Festival!

Come one, come all – if you live in Vancouver, you do NOT want to miss this. It was the highlight of my year last year. I'm serious. I've seen a lot of fantastic displays of community fun in my five years in East Van, but this took the cake.

The whole street, from 1st to Venables, will be closed to traffic until 6pm, and will be packed with people dancing, watching the World Cup, playing ball hockey, making their own music, riding crazy bicycles, selling stuff, hula hooping, and generally enjoying the fabulous feeling that results from seeing thousands of your neighbours and friends, out enjoying the day, with not a car in sight. There will be several stages set up along the length of the Drive with performers. From the site:

FREE OF CHARGE. FREE OF BORING CORPORATE STUFF. FREE OF CARS.
Last year's first-ever Car-Free Commercial Drive Festival gave around 24,000 people a glimpse of urban paradise:
One glorious free-for-all street party thrown BY the people of East Van, FOR the people of East Van.
It's time once again to reclaim our streets – FOR FUN.

See you there!