Lakeside HOPE House is hosting its seventh annual HOPE in the Street party next month, and this year it will be held live in the parking lot of Spring Mill Distillery.
The purpose of the street party on Sept. 17 is to bring community members together regardless of their income.
“It's a totally inclusive experience and there are live bands, local food vendors, beer and spirits, kids activities. It's a family-friendly event,” said Mary Jackson. community engagement manager at HOPE House.
Jackson said last year, the organization was unable to host an in person event because of the pandemic and had to go virtual.
“We're really excited because it's live again. We are the largest street festival in Guelph and that comes from the Downtown Business Association,” said Jackson.
Shannon Ostetto, event committee chair at Hope House, said community members are not required to purchase tickets but may donate proceeds which will go directly back to HOPE House.
“We have also partnered with Sleeman Brewery and Spring Mills Distillery as our event sponsors and they are actually going to be providing the beer and spirits for us this year,” said Ostetto.
She said the event saw up to 2,000 guests in the past and will be following COVID safety guidelines this year to ensure everyone is safe.
Last year, the event team partnered with Guelph Box to provide a street food experience by handing out to-go boxes. It also filmed a live performance in Onyx nightclub that was streamed online.
“I really feel this year, our committee is just so motivated to bring this event back to the community. We really missed it last year,” said Ostetto.
“I feel like the entire vibe of this event is surrounding the community so to be able to bring the community together to celebrate all together for once as a live event, to get back to a centre like Hope House, which in turn gives back to the community, it's like a full circle event.”
More information about the exact timing of the event will be released closer to the date.
