One of Metro Vancouver's most popular summertime events has opted to bow out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19. The Shipyards Night Market has announced it has officially cancelled this year's festivities.
"It is with heavy hearts that we officially announce the cancellation of the Shipyards Night Market for the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 environment," states the North Vancouver event.
"The health and safety of our vendors, staff and patrons will always be our top priority and suspending the market this season will lower the risk of exposure and spread of COVID-19 in our community. We look forward to your continued support as we prepare for 2021."
The Shipyards Night Market typically runs Friday nights from early May through late September in Shipbuilders' Square in North Vancouver's lower Lonsdale.
The weekly street festival has grown to feature over 100 vendors, including food trucks, and a 19+ beer garden.
Launched in 2011, the Shipyards Night Market is run by North Shore Green Markets, with a very green mission indeed: The low-waste market boasts they only generate a couple of bags of garbage per event, and that all of the refuse is sorted for recycling and compost by local high school students.
With a "hot food alley" stacked with dozens of food trucks, the Shipyards Night Market is also always one of the summer's most delicious pop-up weekend eats destinations.
Unfortunately, large-scale events have been forced to either radically alter their structure - like the PNE and their “micro” events - or opt to skip the 2020 season, due to the provincial ban on gatherings of over 50 people. The public health order is in place as a measure aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19. Though B.C. is in Phase 2 of its “restart” plan, mass gatherings like sporting events and concerts are not on the docket until Phase 4, which necessitates a vaccine and/or proven treatment for COVID-19.
Meanwhile, the Richmond Night Market indicated in late April we could expect a further decision on their wildly popular annual event later in June.
