It was a huge weekend for Belleville and especially the Downtown District. Friday’s Downtown at Dusk and Saturday’s first ever Caribbean Festival drew thousands of people into the city’s core.
One of the organizer’s of the Caribbean Festival, Councillor Sean Kelly, said the event received coverage from CTV and Global, along with local radio, print, and online media.
Kelly said in total over one million people saw or heard about the festival and Belleville, exposure that would have cost huge dollars if paid for.
“The positive story coming out of Belleville is really important, plus people are going to realize we are an accepting community, we have lots to offer and it’s all part of the tourism as well. Maybe they will make our city a destination for the family this summer.”
Downtown at Dusk is an annual event put on by the Downtown District BIA while the Caribbean Festival is a presentation of the city’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee. Planning is already underway for another Caribbean Festival next year.
