Many gather for downtown street festival return

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 10/09/2022 (1436 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

For the first time in two years, Winnipeggers packed downtown streets ready for outdoor concerts, carnival rides, and rows upon rows of food trucks.

After its pandemic hiatus, ManyFest kicked off Friday and continues Sunday, drawing families and four-legged friends into a last-of-summer-fun atmosphere they’ve missed since 2019.

“It’s nice to see people out and about again,” Ciara Desierto said, fresh mini doughnuts in hand as she and her husband Camilo and their four- and six-year-old sons took in a Peg City basketball game on festival grounds along Broadway Saturday afternoon.

“We got here a little while ago, making the most out of the day,” Camilo agreed. “This is our first year back… so it’s nice to see everything going again.”

The downtown street festival expanded this year, adding a basketball tournament, live wrestling show, and dog-friendly “Pup Patio” in addition to past favourite attractions like Food Truck Wars.

Butter chicken perogies were high on the list of delicacies for Michelle Hunter, who said the food is her favourite part of the festival.

“Definitely the food! I just love to eat. If I could spend all my time eating without getting full, I would,” she said with a laugh.

On a visit from her home in B.C., former Winnipegger Brenda Sinclair said the event made her glad to return to her roots.

“I think the setting is perfect,” she said, under a clear blue sky and a slight breeze, adding the variety of activities at ManyFest gave people so many reasons to stick around.

“I think it’s blended itself well, so you hang a little longer in leisure to just experience that good atmosphere,” Sinclair said.

Waiting in a long line to tackle some vertical rock climbing on the children’s play field, Jennifer Lim said there’s so much to do, she and her family planned to return.

“We’re likely coming back tomorrow again,” she said, as 12-year-old Sera, nine-year-old Khalil and six-year-old Amelia waited their turn to climb.

“I’m gonna go all the way up to the top!” Mia exclaimed.

The festival continues from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Organizers said turnout has so far been higher than anticipated.