NANAIMO — It seems so long ago now, but numerous pandemic-related restrictions in place earlier this year were lifted in phases by April as the threat of the Omicron variant wore off.
We’re still impacted by COVID-19, but the restriction-free environment currently was not the case at all months ago.
Mid-February was a key turning point in life vastly returning to normal, with five key provincial health orders dropped, including restrictions around indoor personal gatherings and capacity limits affecting restaurants, pubs and nightclubs.
The following month province-wide indoor mask wearing rules were gone, while the contentious vaccine passport program in place for nearly seven months was tossed in April.
Life largely began returning to normal for the first time since the pandemic hit in March 2020.
The result was immensely positive for the economy in general, including the mid Island area, home to several popular events drawing thousands of people.
Hotel usage data showed Vancouver Island was a highly sought after destination this year, while BC Ferries reported record ridership numbers.
The Nanaimo/Oceanside regions came alive as the year progressed, benefiting many people.
Nanaimo’s highly popular water based summer events ran at full-throttle (Dragon Boat Festival, Silly Boat Regatta, Bathtub Weekend).
Following a difficult period of time for downtown Nanaimo during the pandemic, the Commercial Street Night Market made its return with rave reviews.
An estimated 4,000 to 7,000 people converged on downtown Nanaimo weekly for the market, providing a critical boost for resilient merchants.
Late in the summer saw the Vancouver Island Exhibition at the Beban Park Fairgrounds return with a full event, while the Play On street hockey tournament attracted more than 200 players to downtown Nanaimo in late September.
The Parksville Beach Festival topped 115,000 people, with world class caliber sand sculptures attracting large crowds.
Following difficult years in 2020 and 2021, the return of these events brought our communities together and helped bring valuable dollars to the bottom line of the beleaguered tourism and hospitality industries.
Having the ability to bring people together offered the economy and the mental health of many people a much needed boost.
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