Residents and visitors celebrate music, culture and community at Our Neck of the Woods Festival

Maple Ridge says residents and visitors gathered downtown on Saturday, Sept. 5 for the third annual Our Neck of the Woods Festival. The free, day-long event transformed Memorial Peace Park and 224 Street with live music, culture, local food, shopping and family activities.

Nine live performances took place across three stages, from afternoon programming at the Bandstand to evening headliners on the Golden Ears Main Stage. Tim & The Glory Boys, Bedouin Soundclash and Vancouver-based Dear Rouge performed on the main stage. Dear Rouge also told the crowd they are expecting their second child. Lead singer Danielle McTaggart is scheduled to perform her solo project, Larkk, at The ACT on Oct. 17.

Elise LeBlanc, Janky Bungag, Antonio Larosa and emerging artist Emmett Jerome also performed. Festival features included accessible seating, a Sensory Room, a car-free zone on 224 Street in partnership with TransLink and Metro Vancouver, a local market, food trucks, licensed beverage service, a family fun zone, and Katzie First Nation storytelling and an art unveiling.

Mayor Dan Ruimy said the festival made music, arts and culture more accessible, brought neighbours together and drew thousands of visitors downtown to support shops, restaurants, vendors and artists. The City thanked attendees, performers, volunteers, vendors, partners, sponsors, production crews, staff, downtown businesses and residents. Event photos and highlights will be shared at @yourmapleridge and MapleRidge.ca/ONOTW; upcoming City events are listed at MapleRidge.ca/Events.