Belle River residents got to Stroll the Street

by Sylene Argent

The COVID-19 pandemic may have prevented the Belle River on the Lake BIA from hosting its annual Stroll the Street events earlier this spring, but the Business Improvement Association was able to shutdown eight blocks of Notre Dame Street to vehicular traffic last Friday evening to host a fall-themed, outdoor shopping extravaganza for the whole community to enjoy.

  The fall-themed Stroll the Street event was hosted as a way to get residents outdoors to shop and enjoy all the Belle River business area has to offer, while having fun.

  Janel Gagnier, Belle River on the Lake BIA’s Special Events Coordinator, was pleased with the event turn out. The event attracted the maximum number of vendors the BIA was allowed to host. She was pleased to solicit the help of around 50 volunteers to ensure the event ran as smoothly as possible. Some of those volunteers were high school students, who were able to earn a few of the community service hours that they are required to obtain in order to graduate.

  “It was good. A little bit windy, a little cool, but we had a good turnout,” she said, noting there was a steady flow of foot traffic onsite.

  Eventgoers were encouraged to wear masks at the event and were to follow directional foot traffic signage, to help prevent the spread of the Coronavirus.

  In addition, along the event route, the Belle River on the Lake BIA offered six sanitizer stations, equipped with free masks and hand sanitizer for those in need.

  Along Notre Dame Street, three acoustic acts performed an array of tunes for the outdoor shoppers to enjoy, while they searched for unique items and gift ideas. In addition, the local youth, classic rock band, “Leave Those Kids Alone,” offered their sound to the event.

  Typically, the Belle River on the Lake BIA hosts a Stroll in the Streets towards the end of November, as a kick off for holiday shopping. It is not known, however, if this tradition will get the greenlight, which will be dependent on governmental protocols at that time.