After taking a couple of years off because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the ever-popular Sidewalk Days will be returning next year. 

The planning committee announced the event will be taking place downtown from July 7 to 9, 2022. 

Sidewalk Days chair Jacki L’Heureux Mason said the 2022 event will be bigger and better than ever. 

“We are looking at having a few more things in the kid's area. The one thing we had planned for 2020 was huge so we are excited that what we had planned is at least going to be there. We are looking at a few more partnerships that are going to bring in something that Moose Jaw has never seen before. So, we are really excited about that," L’Heureux Mason said. 

She added that they are looking to invest more into entertainment as bands are itching to perform in front of live crowds again. They are also looking at an “event inside an event” in which details are still being worked out. 

"From the time we had to make the very difficult decision to can it for 2021, we've already been planning 2022. This year we will be putting in about 16 months of planning into it. We certainly hope the end result reflects that time and effort,” L’Heureux Mason said. 

For vendors who signed up for 2020 and paid their fees, L’Heureux Mason has some good news. 

"For those that are signed up get to stay in at the 2020 price which, for anyone who has been to a grocery store or gone shopping lately knows, all prices are going up everywhere. As those Sidewalk Days prices go up to cover the extenuating costs were are going to have to face." 

But having a bigger and better Sidewalk Days brings the need for more volunteers. 

The organizing committee is looking for people who are motivated to do hands-on work and, most importantly, have fun. 

"About 2 o'clock on the very first day, usually the Thursday afternoon, you can go stand up on the top of the hill and look down and, next to having my own child, I can't think of anything that makes me prouder than that one moment of seeing that baby that you've been working on for so, so long come together. It's a pretty cool feeling,” L’Heureux Mason said. 

The committee is planning for a volunteer event in January to help drum up some interest.  

Anyone interested in volunteering can call L’Heureux Mason at 306-690-9949 or email info@sidewalkdays.ca. 

Further announcements about the event are expected in the coming months. To keep up-to-date with the latest, you can follow Sidewalk Days on Facebook.