ESTEVAN - It might have been in a new location, but that didn't change the amount of fun for the crowd at this year's Estevan Downtown Business Association (DBA) Street Dance.
The popular annual event was held Saturday night at the Estevan Leisure Centre's parking lot. An estimated crowd of 1,000 revellers gathered to listen to the music of Saskatchewan country music singer Lisa Moen and her band, and to enjoy being outside on a warm summer night.
"Going into it, we knew it was going to be a little different than in previous years after the location moved … but it turned out to be a fantastic night," said Robert Godfrey with Lemon Wedge Marketing. "We were really happy with everybody who came out … for the event, and this is definitely one that is going to go in the memory book for us."
The new location worked out really well, he said. Organizers weren't certain how certain aspects would pan out, but they didn't prove to be an issue. It was a sweltering day in southeast Saskatchewan, but Godfrey said it was a pleasant night. A mobile office at the site allowed the DBA to have a main location to run the event.
"The City of Estevan did a great job of preparing the grounds, making sure that it was all clean, and from there, everything else went really smoothly," said Godfrey.
With the design of the parking lot, the area in use was a large rectangle, which Godfrey said was better for vendors. And since the festivities weren't on a street, organizers had more time for cleanup. He believes the parking lot proved to be an ideal place for the party.
The number of people present was in line with previous years. Godfrey said no significant issues were reported by the event's security.
Moen took to the stage at approximately 10 p.m. and wrapped up just before 2 a.m. Sunday. Her sets were about 45 minutes in length with 15-minute breaks. Most of her music was cover tunes.
"Lisa Moen put on one heck of a show at the Street Dance," said Godfrey. "She is just a true performer. She had a really well-thought-out set list for Estevan.
"One of the things that we were promoting prior to the Street Dance was how Lisa brings the show, and she's a real party starter, and that couldn't have been more true. She is an unreal performer, she has a great voice, and she was just an excellent person to work with when it came to hiring entertainment. It doesn't get much better than what Lisa had to offer."
The DBA "loves" using the Street Dance as an opportunity to showcase talented Saskatchewan artists, he said.
"Lisa had not done a show, ever, in our area, so it's really exciting for us to be able to provide her with that platform and introduce her to southeast Saskatchewan," said Godfrey.
While this year's location worked out great, Godfrey said they hope to be back at their traditional home in the 1100-block of Fourth Street for next year. The ongoing work on Fourth Street as part of the downtown revitalization project necessitated the move to the parking lot.
"Hopefully, in future years, we can celebrate Street Dance on Fourth Street in our newly-upgraded downtown," he said.
Proceeds from the Street Dance will be directed towards the DBA's efforts throughout the year to promote businesses in central Estevan.
The Street Dance has been named Estevan's most popular event in the past two editions of the Estevan Mercury's Readers' Choice Best of Estevan Awards.
