Finding myself wandering in the dark among people grasping candles was a scenario I thought only possible in a sacred ritual. That belief diminished Sept. 9-11 as I walked across Broadway and Osborne’s intersection and into Winnipeg’s first ManyFest.

The amalgamation of five events under one title (formerly known as Lights on Broadway) was an avenue for a fresh event to emerge.

The festival began Friday at dusk in Memorial Park with a towering projection of Toy Story 3 - a wise choice of movie, as it captivated both the younger viewers as well as the older audience who are still invested in Woody’s well-being.

Saturday’s festivities began at 4 p.m. The notable event was the Festival of Lights, which explains said candle-lit wandering. 

The crowd of flickering light proved to stir anticipation for the illumination of 100 of Broadway’s elms. The glow of wavering candlelight combined with the row of lit up elms paved an unbeatable atmosphere for the Big Dance on Broadway.

The Taste of Downtown’s Wine and Cheese venue was strategically set up to catch waves of Balkan beats from the Broadway stage as well as being slightly tucked away to create an air of exclusivity.

The venue came equipped with knowledgeable staff, a variety of wine, unique cheese platters (a cheese shish kabob, for example) and a designated VIP area for those wishing for a more intimate experience.

Sunday’s schedule boasted events from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., which included everything from an artisan’s market to Zumba workouts.

I found the produce at the Farmer’s Market a little sparse (perhaps the “early bird gets the worm” statement has some validity), however, the strip of shops lining Broadway allowed shoppers to stock up on anything from Tupperware to leather wallets from Nepal.

While having a bicycle would have been beneficial, it was not necessary to experience the novelties of Ciclovia. Those with vintage bikes dressed in apparel from the early 1900s to set a cohesive theme as well as allow unique photo opportunities.

Equally important to ManyFest was the prominence of live music. From buskers occupying corners to DJs spinning on impressive stages, there was always music to accompany every step.

My favourite event was AceArt’s soapbox derby. 

Soapboxes ranged from voyageur-esque to “mad scientist” in style and came in forms varying from office chairs to aerodynamic masterpieces. 

It was impossible to pass by without getting lured in by the crowd’s cheers, the competitive energy and soaring fake seals that doubled as one team’s ammo and a means of entertainment.

While I love a festival that is formed around consuming alcohol and deep-fried dough as much as the next young adult, I found ManyFest’s endorsement of a healthy, active lifestyle a refreshing and admirable one.

ManyFest facilitated an area for a range of physical activity to safely occur along with providing local, healthy food and promoting entertainment in downtown Winnipeg.