Canada was on display at this year’s Hats Off Day in the Heights.
The annual event, hosted by the Heights Merchants Association, went off without a hitch, according to Isabel Kolic, executive director of the association.
“Everyone seemed to have a really good time,” she told the NOW. “It was a great day, everything seemed to go really well.”
While the final tally hasn’t been counted yet, Kolic estimates about 60,000 people turned out for the event, held on Saturday on Hastings Street between Gamma and Boundary.
This year’s theme – the Great Canadian Outdoors – seemed to resonate with guests and parade participants, too, Kolic added.
“People got into it; there were a lot of wild animals running around,” she said “we had some wonderful youth from Alpha secondary who were playing some of the animals, and they really put their heart and soul into it, so kudos to them.”
With the 2017 festival behind them, Kolic and her team have about a month to forget about the event before planning for the 2018 Hats Off Day begins in August.
“It’s such a community and a grassroots festival,” Kolic said. “It feels like a town festival, which is what it is.”
