A full slate of performances and events next week will help usher in a new era for Downtown Lethbridge.
From June 22-24, a three-day 'Lighting Up Festival Square' kickoff party will take place in the new space on 6 Street, just off 3 Avenue, followed by Pride in the Park and Casa's Heavy Metal exhibition opening on June 25. All of the activities are free to attend.
The $1.71 million Festival Square Market Plaza, entirely funded through the Province of Alberta's Provincial Municipal Stimulus Program, will be a versatile, active and engaging public space for people and the local businesses in the area. The main draw will be its offering as a permanent market space with supporting infrastructure to support local producers, artisans and craftspeople a place to sell their wares year-round. The project includes an interactive stage, entry signs, decorative column lighting, programmable lighting and site furniture, as well as water/wastewater servicing and lane rehab.
The section of 6 Street between 3 Avenue and 4 Avenue will be fully closed to traffic on Wednesday, June 22. The events that day include:
- An official ribbon cutting ceremony at 11 a.m.
- A Downtown Lethbridge BRZ BBQ Mix & Mingle from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Beer garden from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Live entertainment from noon to 7 p.m., including music, theatre, dance and Blackfoot performances
- Official Lighting Up Festival Square at 7 p.m.
- A mainstage performance featuring Theatre Outré from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
More events will continue on Thursday, June 23, with a Farmers' Market and Eric Dyck Cartoonist in Residence from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., plus a Youth Artisan Market from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and mainstage performances from the Chinook High School Rock Bands, Last Minute Let Downs and The New Testaments between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. Other live entertainment will occur from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
On Friday, June 24, there will be Pop Up Yoga in Festival Square at noon, followed by Family Fun on Festival Square from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. featuring Princesses & Heroes (come dressed as your favourite princess or hero), The Band Formerly Known as Karen, Lewis, & Pam, Hootenanny!, Westwind Thunders and Sheldon Day Chief & Dancers, as well as other activities from Allied Arts Council of Lethbridge, Lethbridge Public Library, Blackfoot Sport demonstrations and Branches Fine Arts. From 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. mainstage performances will feature Indigidrip, Willy Big Bull, Makiisma and John Wort Hannam.
Parking will be limited near Festival Square during the kickoff events, so please plan ahead by taking public transit, riding your bike, walking, or taking an e-bike or e-scooter. Representative from Neuron Canada will also be on site to offer demonstrations and safety tips.
A full detailed events schedule is available at downtownlethbridge.com.
