The good times have come to an end as the Maple Ridge Caribbean Festival, also known as the Tropical Vibes Music Fest, has ended its run.
The organizers cite “a lack of sustainable financial support needed to continue.”
Costs have increased by 30 to 40 per cent since 2022, across all areas – artists, staging, insurance, security, and rentals.
Organizers say they have contributed to the “economic and cultural” value to Maple Ridge, attracting up to 250,000 attendees over the years.
Maple Ridge Caribbean Festival Society (MRCFS) state they have made “real contributions to the local economy,” yet have seen an ongoing instability in funding and a decline in sponsorships.
MRCFS also states that the City of Maple Ridge has been allocating funds to other festivals but left the Caribbean Festival to “struggle for survival.”
Organizers state they have appealed to the city for an increase in grant support, but the request was not met.
“Maple Ridge is now losing a festival that contributed to its diversity, economy, and cultural vitality for a quarter of a century,” stated a release from MRCFS.
Despite the loss, organizers are proud of what they achieved over the past 25 years.
“We are proud of what we built, and grateful to the community, artists, and partners who supported us. But it must be said plainly – when funding decisions fail to reflect the full value of cultural events, communities lose more than festivals.”