Dropped on Drouillard: urban street festival

By Vanessa Cuevas

The Dropped on Drouillard Festival attracted hundreds of people this past weekend to celebrate Windsor’s urban street culture.

The 1000 block of Drouillard Road was closed from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Sept. 16. Windsorites were able to listen to live music from local bands, play Jenga and rock climb. Local food vendors had tents set up and business owners had displays and tents set up to showcase their work and products.

Windsor’s only purpose built climbing facility, Windsor Rock Gym, was at the event with a rock climbing wall where adults and children could take part. Owner and operator of Windsor Rock Gym, Marco Fiori, said events like these that bring neighbourhoods together are really important.
“An event like this brings a lot of awareness to the city, especially this part of the city that people tend to not either want to come and check out,” said Fiori.  

Artists painted murals on buildings during the festival. Local artist, Eric Faraci was working on one of those murals. He said events like these bring neighbourhoods together. Faraci wants to help revive the area and make it a place people want to visit.

“Art I think is hitting a high right now… everyone wants to be a part of it,” said Faraci. “Especially an old run-down street like Drouillard.”

Jessica Bondy, manufacture at Simple Path Products said she hopes this festival will show Windsor that little pockets are reviving.

“A lot people feel that this the next neighborhood to rise from the ashes,” said Bondy. It will show people who frowned upon the area that it is “thriving.”

From games to rock climbing to beer from Motor Craft Ales, there was something for everyone to enjoy.

“The bones of this place are really good… there are a lot of good things happening here,” said Fiori.