Community Events
The annual Ellice Street Festival takes place each June, on a Saturday afternoon, at the intersection of Ellice and Sherbrook. Organized by the West End Cultural Centre, the community event features live entertainment on stage, a barbeque, community information tables and activities for all ages. BIZ summer staff assist with face painting, balloon animals and event clean-up. The BIZ Patrol also provides event security.
The Sargent Street Fest is co-hosted by the West End BIZ and X-Cues Billiards & Cafe every two years, in conjunction with the World Cup and Euro Cup soccer tournaments. Sargent Avenue is closed to traffic between Sherbrook and Langside, to accommodate the day's many activities. Assorted foods and beverages are sold at minimal cost. A professional DJ plays tunes while various musicians and dance groups perform on stage as part of the day's entertainment line-up. Live World Cup soccer action is also shown on large screens inside X-Cues Billiards. Children are entertained by skateboard demonstrations, chalk art, crafts, face painting and games.
Central Market, an open-air global market in Central Park, is a great place to enjoy locally grown food, imported goods and handcrafted items each summer. Services like henna painting and hair braiding are also offered, alongside children's activities, live music, entertainment and dancing. The market takes place right in the heart of Central Park. Central Market banners provided by the BIZ and installed along Edmonton help draw attention to the annual event. The market itself is held each Saturday afternoon throughout the summer. Fiesta Fridays, a miniature version of the market, takes place Friday evenings.
Each winter Skates & Badges sees the Winnipeg Police Service Patrolman Hockey Team, West End BIZ and the Central Neighbourhoods Development Corporation host a learn-to-skate event for inner-city youth and families. The event is held at Central Park. Skates are made available for use by the participants and refreshments are served. The event introduces outdoor winter activities to many immigrants living in the vicinity of Central Park and helps build relations between the sponsoring groups and the community.
X-Cues Billiards & Cafe hosts the annual Christmas Eve Feast on December 24. This event offers 300 pre-registered West End residents and recent immigrants who have been recommended by local community groups and social service agencies, the chance to enjoy a traditional holiday meal. The hot meal is accompanied by live music, a visit from Santa and gifts for those in attendance. BIZ staff work alongside volunteers at the event and the BIZ Patrol provides a safety presence. The event is sponsored by Sons of Italy, Sorrentos on Ellice, X-Cues and the West End BIZ
Christmas Eve Feast Website
Winnipeg's Santa Claus Parade is held on a Saturday evening each November. More than 70 floats are featured as thousands of Winnipeggers line the curbs of Portage Avenue and Main Street. The West End BIZ welcomes VIPs to our office to gather prior to their joining the parade, while mascots use the BIZ office to change into their costumes. The BIZ Patrol also assists with barricade security during the parade.
