Bringing buskers to last year’s Sarnia Artwalk was costly for event organizers, but it certainly paid off in the end.

“It was quite a bit of money, to be honest, to get the buskers down here,” said event spokesperson Shawn McKnight. “But last year they were blown away by the crowd, how big it was, and they made so much money by putting their hat out they actually wanted to come back on the Sunday for free.”

As a result, this year’s Artwalk will feature about four times as many performers in a Busker Alley when the event runs this weekend.

“For less money,” McKnight added. “They basically realized how much they can make just putting the hat around. Like in Toronto there is so many different festivals and things going on, but here Artwalk is just huge.”

Typically around 25,000 spectators come through the annual event, which runs this Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

This is the 14th version of Sarnia Artwalk, a free-admission event.

“It’s probably the most action-packed Artwalk we’ve had to date,” McKnight said.

The music showcase will be bigger and better than in past years, he noted, with a full weekend of free, live music on a stage on Davis Street. With help from a Lambton County grant, a large lineup of local musicians has been assembled including several reunion shows of bands who are no longer together.

“It’s going to be a really good time,” he said.

There are also two evening concerts set for Friday – it’s a First Friday – and Saturday nights in front of Refined Fool Brewing Co.

The TD Multicultural Village will be on a stage in front of the Lawrence House Centre for the Arts, including its various food booths, and a children’s village will feature the Kiwanis train and some animals.

Outside of the music and activities, the fact it’s a community-driven event is what keeps the crowds coming back.

“There’s a lot of really great art events through the year, but this one we try to be inclusive with all different age groups and every form of art,” he said. “The whole community is really involved, in a sense.”

Several volunteer organizations, non-profit and charitable groups use different art forms to promote their initiatives.

“Which is really cool,” he said.

Artwalk initially started in August, bounced around a few different time slots, then finally found its permanent home on the first weekend in June.

“It’s been working out really great, it’s kind of a kickoff to the summer event season,” he said.

It will be located on Christina Street North from Wellington to George streets, and on side streets, too. Merchants on Front Street are on board as they will be hosting a sidewalk sale with various activities, and food and art will be available for purchase at the main location on Christina.

“We always try to get people to use the weekend as a chance to explore the downtown, because this year especially there’s so many developments going on, like renovations in some of the old buildings,” said McKnight, who is one of about 10 people who meet regularly to plan the weekend while about 30 volunteers will converge this weekend to take on tasks such as unpacking equipment and street closures.

Because of the shutdown streets, participants are encouraged to ride their bicycles to help alleviate traffic congestion. To support this initiative, Bluewater Trails is organizing a bicycle corral. Wheelchair accessible vehicle parking is available at the Scotiabank parking lot.

tbridge@postmedia.com

@ObserverTerry

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Sarnia Artwalk

WHEN: Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

WHERE: Christina Street N from Wellington to George streets

COST: Free