Daftarsbmptn.com – The Pariaman City Government continues to innovate in an effort to stimulate the community’s economy post-pandemic and revitalize the trade, tourism, and creative industries. One new step being implemented soon is the implementation of “Car Free Night,” a vehicle-free evening event that will combine folk entertainment, culinary delights, and local economic promotion.
This program was initiated by the Mayor of Pariaman, who believes that the region’s tourism and creative economy potential is enormous, but still needs a more inclusive platform to foster community interaction and introduce local products to tourists.
“We’ve had Car Free Day every weekend, but most economic activity occurs during the day. We want to create a new atmosphere at night to further stimulate the local economy,” said the Mayor of Pariaman in an official statement.
“Car Free Night” Concept Boosts the People’s Economy
The Car Free Night event is planned to be held along the Gandoriah Beach tourist area and up to Merdeka Square in Pariaman every Saturday night. During the event, the main road will be closed to motorized vehicles from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM WIB.
The area will be transformed into an open public space featuring a variety of entertainment activities, such as musical performances, regional dances, MSME exhibitions, a culinary bazaar, and a children’s play area. The Pariaman City Government hopes this event will become a new icon for the city and a hub for social interaction, enlivening Pariaman’s nightlife.
According to the Head of the Pariaman City Tourism and Creative Economy Office, this event is not merely entertainment, but part of a strategy to encourage community-based economic growth. “Through Car Free Night, small business owners, street vendors, and local artisans will have the opportunity to introduce their products directly to visitors,” he said.
He added that this concept will also collaborate with music communities, local artists, and creative youth to showcase their work in public spaces. Thus, this event will not only increase economic transactions but also strengthen the region’s cultural identity.
Synergy Between MSMEs and Local Tourism
One of the main goals of Car Free Night is to connect the tourism and creative economy sectors. Pariaman is known as a coastal city with great potential for marine tourism, particularly with prime destinations such as Gandoriah Beach, Angso Duo Island, and Kata Beach.
However, economic activity at night is still relatively quiet. Through this program, the Pariaman City Government wants to encourage tourists staying overnight to enjoy the city’s nightlife and shop for local products.
MSMEs in Pariaman City welcomed the plan. Fitri, a Pariaman specialty food producer, said she was looking forward to Car Free Night. “During the day, there are usually only a few visitors, but at night, the atmosphere is more lively and relaxed. We can sell a variety of foods, such as lokan satay, sala rice, and Pariaman’s signature banana chips,” she said.
The government also promised to organize the vendors’ locations to ensure they remain comfortable, clean, and do not detract from the city’s beauty. Waste management will be improved, and cleaning staff will be on hand during the event.
Encouraging Youth Participation
Besides stimulating the economy, Car Free Night is also expected to serve as a means of environmental education for the public. By closing roads to motorized vehicles, this activity will raise awareness about the importance of reducing air pollution and creating a pedestrian-friendly city space.
The Pariaman City Government is collaborating with youth communities, schoolchildren, and university students to participate as volunteers and performers. They will hold street art performances, photo exhibitions, and even an acoustic music competition showcasing local talent.
“We want this event to be a space for young people in Pariaman to express themselves. Besides being able to sell or display their work, they can also learn about organizing and contributing to the city,” said one of the organizing committee members.
Attracting Tourists and Local Investment
The Pariaman City Government is optimistic that Car Free Night will have a broad positive impact. In addition to increasing community income, this activity will also attract tourists from outside the region.
The Transportation Agency has prepared a traffic management scheme to ensure the event runs smoothly without disrupting public mobility. Alternative parking areas are provided around the location, while security personnel will be on duty to ensure the situation remains conducive.
Furthermore, this activity is also expected to attract local investors to participate in the development of tourism facilities and the creative economy. The government plans to make Car Free Night a regular weekly event with regular evaluations to continuously improve the concept and services.
High Hopes for the Local Economy
This innovative step is seen by many as a concrete demonstration of the Pariaman City Government’s commitment to revitalizing the people’s economy based on local potential. Amidst national economic challenges, the local government is striving to create a participatory space that can ignite residents’ enthusiasm for creativity and entrepreneurship.
With the support of the community and businesses, Car Free Night is expected to symbolize Pariaman’s sustainable economic revival while strengthening the city’s image as a friendly, creative, and highly competitive tourist destination in West Sumatra.