Block party a ‘great way to start off summer’

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 22/06/2025 (349 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Local businesses, performers and non-profits came together on Saturday for Brandon’s third annual Kick’n Off Summer Block Party.

“We have such a good community down here,” Erin Wells, general manager of The Dock On Princess said. “It draws people down here that may never have come downtown or to any of our businesses, and they can come see what we’re about.”

The Kick’n Off Summer Block Party took place on the corner of 12^th Street and Princess Avenue, which was blocked off specifically for the event that ran from 1 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

The Dock, Section 6 Brewing and Brandon Downtown BIZ worked as a team to organize and run the event.

Wells said that, while it’s hard to say exactly how many people come and go throughout the day, she estimated that in previous years there have been more than 700 guests.

Wells said before the first Kick’n Off Summer Block Party, she didn’t know what to expect, but soon after people started asking her when there was going to be another one.

“We have such a good community down here and we really find lots of loyal regulars and I’m sure we have people who come who have never been here before,” she said. “My favourite part is really just seeing people coming down and having fun and it’s a great way to start off summer.”

Just across the street, one of the owners of Section 6 Brewing said that since opening roughly three years ago, they have worked closely with The Dock.

“I think anytime we do anything, we try to have a discussion about how we can involve one another,” Stevenson said. “It’s really nice to have a little corner where we have two like minded businesses with of similar vibes and opportunities for people to come hang out.”

Stevenson said it feels humbling to see regulars at the brewery asking about the event and looking forward to it. She said many people have told her they want more events like it downtown.

“Having our place full and busy, and people laughing and listening to music and just being in our space and enjoying themselves is the most rewarding thing for me,” she said.

Vanessa Hiebert, one of the local musicians who played at the event on Saturday, said this was her first time playing at the Kick’n Off Summer Block Party.

“It was amazing. The weather is amazing, and everyone is having a great time,” she said.

Hiebert said she’s been playing the guitar and singing for about 15 years but took a long break from performing. She had her first solo performance since her break in February and said she now has a booked-up summer.

“It just kind of happened,” Hiebert said. “If you would have told me a year ago I would be doing this, I would have said you’re crazy.”

Hiebert said performing in her hometown where her love for music started “sometimes feels pretty surreal.”

Darrell Corbel, who is the lead guitarist in Wheat City Jug Band, said he has played every year so far at the Kick’n Off Summer Block Party and will continue to do so. This year, on top of performing he set up a booth for his lollipop business D’Pop Shoppe.

He started D’Pop Shoppe during the COVID-19 pandemic as a “side hustle” and has continued selling them at markets and through word of mouth.

Corbel said the energy and atmosphere is what he loves most about the Block Party.

“Everyone’s having fun. There’s so much variety and things to do and look at,” he said. “It’s just a fun time.”

Muyiwa Faronbi, who was joined by his wife and children, said it was his first time coming to the Kick’n Off Summer Block Party.

“It’s summer everybody has been locked indoors through the winter, so I am trying to maximize the time to enjoy myself with my family,” Faronbi said.

He said he hadn’t been at the event for long, but looking around he sees “beautiful, wonderful people” enjoying their leisure time.

» sanderson@brandonsun.com