The popular Chemainus Sip & Shop event is getting a seasonal makeover, trading mistletoe for sunshine.
For the first time, the Chemainus Business Improvement Association and Chemainus & District Chamber of Commerce are presenting a summer edition of the previously winter-only event, inviting the community to enjoy an evening of shopping, sipping and strolling through downtown Chemainus.
The event is set for Saturday, June 14, from 4 to 8 p.m. on Willow Street. The Summer Sip & Shop features live music by From the Earth and an outdoor night market with local vendors and artisans. Guests 19 and over can sip beer, wine or cider as they stroll the street, with beverages available from TravelBar.
“We’re thrilled to launch our first-ever Summer Sip & Shop in Chemainus,” said Krystal Adams, executive director of the Chemainus BIA. “Building on the energy and enthusiasm our community has shown for past events, this summer edition brings a fresh new vibe to Willow Street — offering a fun way to connect with friends, enjoy local flavours, and support small businesses in the heart of downtown.”
Sip & Shop has become a signature Chemainus event over the past few years, regularly drawing crowds to the downtown core in the colder months. Past events have featured everything from carollers to fire pits, turning the streets into a festive celebration of local business.
Adams said community demand for a warm-weather edition drove the decision.
“It was so popular we had to add another one because people kept asking us if there was going to be a summer one,” she said.
The summer version aims to capture the same community spirit with a warm-weather twist, offering food vendors, exclusive in-store promotions from downtown shops and plenty of local flavour in a relaxed, seasonal setting. The event welcomes locals and visitors alike.
“We find it’s a lot of people who come from everywhere — from Chemainus to Ladysmith to Duncan — where they’re pretty close to home and they can come and enjoy, and then stop drinking and shop around and just hang out with their friends. Then, eventually, make their way home.”
Admission is free, and the event is open to all ages, though only those 19 and older can consume alcohol on site.
For more information, visit www.chemainusbia.com.
