THE MARINE AVENUE BUSINESS ASSOCIATION(M.A.B.A.)is a collaboration of Powell River businesses that formed in March 1993 with the intention of drawing more people to Marine Avenue, the delightful downtown waterfront section of Highway 101, Powell River, British Columbia, on the upper Sunshine Coast. The goal was to turn Marine Avenue into the place to stroll, for both visitors and citizens to enjoy the ambiance of a traditional west coast village with shops, galleries, services, and the feeling of a community with history. One obvious step towards this goal was to adopt the orphaned events and festivals and serve both the community and the interests of the Marine Avenue district. As a result, M.A.B.A. has ensured the survival of the ever-popular BlackBerry Festival and the annual Santa Parade held the first of each December.

And the plans continue. Regular meetings are held in an atmosphere of congenial co-operation devising ways of keeping this charming area of the community, alive and vibrant.