Walkerville Rocks

By: Melissa Iarusso and Dayna Poisson

 

The Walkerville Business Improvement Association held its second annual Walkerville Rocks Street Festival & Car Show Saturday in Windsor.

The free and family-friendly event featured live entertainment, a car show, vendor displays, extended patios, sidewalk sales and great eats from surrounding restaurants.

Wyandotte Street East was closed from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. between Devonshire and Lincoln Road. The day was filled with music by Charles Lambrick, Pat Robitaille & The Walkervilles, Velvet Elvis, British Beat ’66, Super 70’s and 80’s Inc.

Coordinator of the Walkerville BIA Joan Charette said they host three annual events because it creates a positive image and benefits the neighborhood by maintaining a strong relationship between businesses and residents.

“We are just very grateful and proud of the businesses of Walkerville with how much they put into the area as well as the support we receive from the neighborhood,” Charette said. “As I say, keeping a thriving area that is strongly supported by the surrounding residential community is essential to prevent urban sprawling. The area is definitely booming.”

What was once recognized as an area of smugglers, prohibition and the birth place of labor unions is now a unique and modern addition to Windsor. Eighty-five businesses make up the Walkerville district, 10 of which opened since the beginning of 2012. One of the nine BIA’s in Windsor, the Walkerville BIA is striving to be a stronger organization with increased membership and participation. With its partners their mission is to create a historic, vibrant and diversified business district through business development, promotion and beautification.

Restaurant workers said they enjoyed the festival because it’s a good way to get involved in the community and attract more business. Walkerville Tavern manager Grace Laporte said the real way to live is through selective consumerism, meaning people need to support small local businesses in order to have festivals.

“This certain area in Windsor is just starting to pick up again and businesses are thriving. I think it’s important that we can come together and work as a community to have these kinds of festivals,” Laporte said. “The nice thing about Walkerville businesses is that we’re not pinned against each other but instead trying to help each other out.”

Charette said her committee wanted to be sure there was something for everyone. In the early afternoon, the Windsor/Essex County Humane Society brought along four-legged friends to interact with the crowd, while the Border City Mini Club and Windsor-Detroit MG Club displayed various cars to be admired. Windsor’s first professional basketball team, the Windsor-Express, advertised their team by shooting hoops and providing giveaways for participants. The Arts Council of Windsor hosted interactive art sessions for children.

Windsor-Walkerville Rotary Club also hosted a can drive, raising just under 500 cans for St. Mary’s Church. Club president Jon Tipping said the new club is trying to get themselves known in the community.

“We’re the newest Rotary Club in the district only being a club for a year and a half. We’re at this festival to raise cans for St. Mary’s for the Christmas season and get involved and recognized in the community. So far we have been successful and we can only hope for more to come in the evening,” Tipping said.

The Walkerville Rocks Festival & Car Show attracted more than 500 guests on Saturday.

Although Walkerville’s BIA is working to modernize the area, the district will forever remain a historic and intimate part of the city.

The next event in Walkerville is their annual holiday walk during the third weekend in November. Horse drawn carriage rides, contests, carollers and Santa Claus will be the main attractions.