Holyrood pleased with successful Squidfest

By Mark Squibb/September 2, 2022

Another SquidFest is in the books, and members of Holyrood council say that it may have been the best one yet.

“I was predicting a record attendance at SquidFest, and I think we’ve accomplished it,” said Mayor Gary Goobie. “The SquidFest this year was phenomenal. Phenomenal. I tried to attend as many events as I could, and I know it was the same for several councillors.”

He noted that all events were well attended, including the Beach Party.

“All I can say is kudos to our Recreation Director Steve Martin, and the members of the Recreation and Community Events committee, councillor Curtis Buckle and councillor Sadie King, and all of our inside staff, who do a lot of work behind the scenes, and our public work staff, who did a phenomenal job,” said Goobie. “They do great work here in the community, tremendous work. And all the volunteers — we have had volunteers that have been with us for the past 10 years or more and they can’t wait for SquidFest and Crystal Carnival to come along. They’re there, and their hearts and souls are into it. I would love to name some names, but I know I would forget some, so I’m not going to, but all I’m going to say is thank you for all of them.”

Goobie also extended thanks to the various sponsors, and all residents who participated.

Councillor Buckle gave a further update during his Recreation and Community Events committee report.

“For the Beach Party, there were 2,408 tickets sold, which is really great,” said Buckle. “That event went over really well. For the number of people who were down there, and the traffic and the people who were coming and going, it was well put together.”

He, like Goobie, thanked a number of folks involved in making SquidFest happen.

“There were 27 events over five days, and all the events were well attended,” said Buckle. “It was great to see. There were people whom I saw at events who were home on holidays and arranged their holidays with their families around SquidFest.”

Buckle encouraged council members to reach out to Town CAO Gary Corbett, Recreation Director Steve Martin, or himself or councillor King with recommendations on how to make next year’s festival even better.