Participants enjoy celebration but some business owners unimpressed

Though not everyone agreed, the street party on a closed-down section of Patricia Street last Saturday was “excellent,” according to Helen Kelleher-Empey, general manager of Jasper Tourism and Commerce. 

At the party’s peak, approximately 1,500 people took to the street to celebrate. 

But at least one merchant with a store on Patricia Street, who wished to remain unnamed, was less than enthusiastic about the street party. The owner said the closure resulted in a drop in patronage for that owner’s store and for several other businesses, and that the street was blocked off about two hours earlier than the announced closure time of 2 p.m.

Doug Rodwell, chief license inspector and enforcement manager, emphasized that Patricia Street did not close early. “I closed it personally, myself, I didn’t close it a second before 2 (p.m.),” he said.

As well, there were complaints that free coffee was handed out in close proximity to two establishments that sell coffee.

The party was lucrative for some, as Darcy Carroll, general manager of the Athabasca Hotel, said the event “exceeded” his expectations and that he’s waiting “with bated breath” for next week’s street party as business was “above normal” for a Saturday night. “The event positively affected my business,” Carroll added.

The same plan applies for this Saturday, with the addition of a human foosball event, said Kelleher-Empey. “We’ve (tourism and commerce) had some really good positive feedback from some of the merchants,” she said.

It was mainly a family event featuring a child-sized ice maze sponsored by ATCO, a road hockey area, live music and a demonstration of the Spyder Hoe, which is currently working in the bush on the FireSmart program. Jasper the Bear was out and about, as well as people on stilts and various other characters. About 60 participants from the Canadian Rockies Academy volunteered to assist with the event and “were absolutely fantastic,” said Kelleher-Empey. Beavertails, hot chocolate and some food were all served street-side.