Annual Slice of Chico event brings sweetness to downtown

CHICO - In every sense of the name, the annual Slice of Chico event brought a true taste of Chico's unique community.

On Saturday, the Downtown Chico Business Association closed down W. 3rd Street between Main Street and Broadway Street for the 51st Slice of Chico event. Hundreds of Chicoians filled the sidewalks and street, flitting between storefronts and vendor booths.

After recently moving back to Chico following a 30-year hiatus, this year marked Elena Flynn's first Slice of Chico experience. As a member of the Rotary Club of Chico, Flynn volunteered handing out free slices of watermelon to guests, spiritedly wearing an apron patterned with watermelons.

She remarked that the event was "very well-attended" and said that she hopes attendees will support struggling downtown businesses by shopping during the event.

"It's been a lot of slicing - it's been a really happy event. Handing out watermelon all day is making people happy," she said.

Kelly Leser, owner of Urban Couture, appreciates downtown events like Slice of Chico to promote her clothing store to new and returning customers. Outside of her shop, she stacked boxes of discounted shoes and marked-down racks of winter clothing for attendees to browse.

"This is an amazing opportunity for new people or people who might not normally come downtown - it really gives us the opportunity to expose and share what we have," she said. "We definitely get recurring business based off of this."

With college students gone on breaks, foot traffic is slower in the summer and winter months, she said, referencing the slower months of January, June and July as "the three J's."

She said that witnessing many downtown businesses close in recent years has been tough for the community, but recognizing the continuous support from customers and Chico residents has kept Leser optimistic.

"I'm very positive, I know it's going to bounce back. We've got a fabulous community," she said.

Cotton candy queen Irene Galvany stationed her organic cotton candy cart outside of Sweet Chico, promoting a special watermelon-flavored cotton candy for the event.

Galvany expressed the joy she felt handing out her cotton candy to customers and said that seeing people smile is one of her favorite parts of downtown events.

"This is why we choose towns like this," she said, pointing out to the crowds of people laughing and talking amongst themselves.

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