There will be an additional way for people to get to this weekend’s Amherstburg Uncommon Festival.
The Town of Amherstburg will offer free transit service starting this Friday at 6 p.m. to the end of Transit Windsor’s service day this Sunday.
This move is also to celebrate the first anniversary of transit service in Amherstburg.
In addition to being free, one additional trip was added to the end of the regular scheduled service on Friday, and two additional trips were added on Saturday. This extended service will help festival-goers get to the Uncommon Festival without worrying about transportation.
The cost to provide the free service extension is $807.10. Council tasked administration to try and find a sponsor to cover that cost as part of the most recent meeting of town council.
Councillor Diane Pouget wanted to know how much money the businesses benefitting from the Uncommon Festival are putting towards the transit system.
“We don’t charge the businesses for the festivals the community puts on,” said Deputy CAO/director of development services Melissa Osborne. “This is simply a means in which to attempt to reduce the parking challenges when we have an event like Uncommon Fest when we have additional people.”
It was also a chance to have people use the transit system and celebrate the anniversary, said Osborne.
Pouget asked why the service wasn’t extended to the Amherstburg’s Gone Car Crazy Show or Art by the River. Osborne said those events “caught us a little bit off-guard” with the volume of people, noting many came into town for Canada Day as well.
For Art by the River, additional parking spots were painted in the former bus bays near the General Amherst High School property. For Uncommon, there is a drone show the Saturday evening that will generate crowds and the town wanted to be proactive and also create an environmentally-friendly alternative through transit.
Councillor Molly Allaire noted council received an e-mail asking how success would be measured. Transit Windsor records ridership and captures numbers of people getting on and off the bus.
Osborne stated there is no way of knowing if the riders are actually going to Uncommon, but the level of activity on the bus can still be measured. She added the town knows large crowds come to various events and try to mitigate parking issues.
Councillor Linden Crain said the $800 investment will lead to greater economic impact.
“I’m happy to support more visitors coming to the town,” said Crain.
McArthur quipped it’s an “uncommonly clever” recommendation, adding it improves the town’s marketing efforts. It promotes not only ridership but the festival itself at a minimal cost.
“We’re not just bringing in people from Windsor,” he said. “There’s people who live in Golfview, Texas Road, Pointe West – Amherstburg residents who may have a difficult time getting downtown, kids especially.”
Deputy Mayor Chris Gibb called it “an excellent experiment to see if it is successful or not.”
“You can’t let the fear of something not working dissuade you from trying new things,” he said.
Gibb added the Fighting Island Boxing Club is hosting “Battle in the Burg” Saturday night at Shooters Roadhouse and people could come in for that show.
“For $800, it might work, it might not but at least we’ll know the next meeting after Uncommon. I’m fully in support of this,” said Gibb.
Pouget voted against it, stating residents are struggling to put food on the table and the necessities of life. She said food banks and the mission is seeing increased usage.
“Our taxpayers have already been burdened by paying our employees wages, entertainment, advertising, etc. to shut down streets for the benefit of specific businesses who, by the way, are not paying for this service,” she said.
Businesses in the downtown core have lost income due to street closures, she added. Pouget said those with disabilities will also face barriers that she said will prevent them from using services they need.
“Windsor, LaSalle and Leamington offer the residents with low income affordable bus pass programs for 49 per cent to 50 per cent off yet Amherstburg wants to offer free bus passes for people who can afford to pay for their bus fare,” she said. Mayor Michael Prue said Transit Windsor offers reduced fares through Pathway to Potential, and said Amherstburg residents can take full advantage of that as well as riders in other municipalities.
The Uncommon Festival, taking place September 20, 21, and 22, 2024, is jam-packed with extraordinary entertainment and activities, including live performances like hypnotist and magic shows, owl post shows, a drone show, a sand sculpture artist, and the all-new WFCU Credit Union’s Wizard Academy! Around every corner, expect to be delighted by something uncommon and unexpected.
In addition to the excitement, generous sponsorships have provided $2,000 in cash prizes in the wizard and steampunk costume contest, encouraging participants to dress in their most creative and fantastical attire.
In the spirit of our favourite house elf, festival-goers are encouraged to bring new socks and non-perishable children’s snacks to the festival’s sock tree. All donations will support those in need. Adding to the whimsical fun, the Amherstburg Food and Fellowship Mission will be serving up its famous Butter Beer, with proceeds benefiting its important work.
“In just one year, our transit service has already become an essential part of our community,” said Mayor Michael Prue. “We’re thrilled to celebrate this milestone by offering free transit during the Uncommon Festival, making it easier for everyone to come out and experience all the magic and wonder this event offers. From the amazing shows to the incredible costumes and everything in between, there’s no better way to explore Amherstburg!”
Don’t miss the magic and hop on the bus! To view the complete itinerary and plan your weekend, visitamherstburg.ca/uncommon. The businesses in the downtown core have lost income due to street closures, she added. Pouget said those with disabilities will also face barriers that she said will prevent them from using services they need.
“Windsor, LaSalle and Leamington offer the residents with low income affordable bus pass programs for 49 per cent to 50 per cent off yet Amherstburg wants to offer free bus passes for people who can afford to pay for their bus fare,” she said. Mayor Michael Prue said Transit Windsor offers reduced fares through Pathway to Potential, and said Amherstburg residents can take full advantage of that as well as riders in other municipalities.
The Uncommon Festival, taking place Sept. 20-22, is jam-packed with extraordinary entertainment and activities, including live performances like hypnotist and magic shows, owl post shows, a drone show, a sand sculpture artist, and the all-new WFCU Credit Union’s Wizard Academy! Around every corner, expect to be delighted by something uncommon and unexpected.
In addition to the excitement, generous sponsorships have provided $2,000 in cash prizes in the wizard and steampunk costume contest, encouraging participants to dress in their most creative and fantastical attire.
In the spirit of our favourite house elf, festival-goers are encouraged to bring new socks and non-perishable children’s snacks to the festival’s sock tree. All donations will support those in need. Adding to the whimsical fun, the Amherstburg Food and Fellowship Mission will be serving up its famous Butter Beer, with proceeds benefiting its important work.
“In just one year, our transit service has already become an essential part of our community,” said Mayor Michael Prue. “We’re thrilled to celebrate this milestone by offering free transit during the Uncommon Festival, making it easier for everyone to come out and experience all the magic and wonder this event offers. From the amazing shows to the incredible costumes and everything in between, there’s no better way to explore Amherstburg!”
Don’t miss the magic and hop on the bus! To view the complete itinerary, www.visitamherstburg.ca/uncommon.
(UPDATE: Since the publication of this article, the town's tourism department announced via social media that BR Consulting Solutions - Bob Rozankovic has sponsored the transit service.)
Free transit service being offered this weekend during Uncommon Festival
By Ron Giofu
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