Squamish Festival big boost for Wonderland Valley Resort campground

Craig Davidiuk has lived in Squamish for 13 years and the biggest changes he's seen is the advent of the Squamish Valley Music Festival, which started in 2010.

"When I first moved here, the place was a virtual ghost town, and in the last couple years, the Squamish Valley Music Festival has really helped put our town on the map," he told The Early Edition.

It's no surprise the festival has had a big impact on Daviduk. He owns the Wonderland Valley Resort, which hosts camping for festival goers.

He has a capacity of about 300 people, with about 200 staying there at last year's festival.

"We didn't even notice that there was 200 people in our campground. We were concerned about crowding and space and after last year, it's like 'no one will even notice if there's another 50 people here, not even us," he said.

Daviduk said he hires a professional security team during the festival, and gives that number to neighbours who can contact them 24 hours with concerns.

"I think at the beginning there was a lot of skepticism and concern. It was a huge change for our town. and it's a big change in attitude in how we welcome the outside world," he said.

He said that attitude has changed, especially as the festival has created a relationship with formerly skeptical local businesses and residents.

CBC Radio's The Early Edition will be live in Squamish on March 13. Join us at Chef Big D's at 38040 Cleveland Avenue from 5 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.