Downtown Lethbridge Farmers' Market returns on July 6 ... expands to 30 vendors!

This year will mark the 5th year that the Downtown Business Revitalization Zone (DBRZ) and Exhibition Park have partnered on the Downtown Farmers' Market. The market has grown in both size and popularity and we're excited to announce that we're expanding to 30 vendors this year.

Fresh fruits, veggies and other locally produced products will be up for grabs starting on Wednesday, July 6 at Festival Square (just off of 3rd Avenue and 6th Street S.). The markets will begin at 10:00 a.m. and run until 3:00 p.m. We've also expanded the downtown market season and will be hosting markets right until September 14th.

The market has been a welcomed addition to the line-up of DBRZ sponsored events, especially since the departure of the downtown IGA store. People that live and work in, or near, the downtown have the opportunity to pick-up a wide array of locally produced products at our convenient, centrally located market.

Back again this year will be live music by a wide range of artists from the Buskers Association of Lethbridge. The Buskers will also be performing at a variety of other downtown locations as part of the DBRZ's 'Sounds of Downtown' initiative. The live music definitely creates a unique festival atmosphere.

Many of the merchants on 6th Street will be putting out tables during the market. This will provide market attendees with the opportunity to leisurely stroll down the beautifully tree-lined street and check out a variety of other items that our downtown merchants have to offer.

The DBRZ and Exhibition Park will also be selling our own Farmers' Market canvas shopping bags (while quantities last) at our booth. The bags will be selling for $2.00 and will include a coupon for a free bag of popcorn. The DBRZ popcorn cart will be selling popcorn at the market for 50 cents per bag.

So, when you're making plans to travel downtown to take in the Wednesday Farmers' Market, make sure to schedule a bit of time to wander around the rest of downtown to experience everything that are businesses have to offer. We have a great selection of boutique retailers, coffee shops and restaurants to choose from. As well, the Rotary Centennial Plaza water feature in Galt Gardens Park is an excellent place to sit, relax and cool off on a hot summer day.

For more information on the Downtown Farmers' Market, contact the DBRZ at (403) 327-9002 or Exhibition Park at (403) 328-4491.

Chinook-A-Tron Sculpture re-installed in Downtown Lethbridge

Chinook-A-Tron artist, Alex Pavlenko (right)

Pre-installation inspection (May 2011)

Wranglin' Willie (310 - 6 Street South)

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The Chinook-A-Tron is once again whirling and spinning at its Downtown Lethbridge location on 7th Street South (east side of Foster and Sons Jewellers - 622 - 3 Avenue S.).

Last spring, the first version of this unique sculpture was at the losing end of a battle with one of the strongest southern Alberta winds in recent memory. The Chinook-A-Tron's creator, Alex Pavlenko, rebuilt and reinforced it with a number of new metal supports. The refurbishment will hopefully provide the Chinook-A-Tron with a fighting chance the next time we encounter a major wind storm. Besides the reinforced elements, a few new kinetic pieces were added to the sculpture.

This art project is a partnership between the Downtown Business Revitalization Zone (DBRZ) and the City of Lethbridge. The Chinook-A-Tron is the second in a series of kinetic sculptures that have been commissioned by the DBRZ. The first sculpture, Wranglin' Willie, sits atop a similar pole in front of the DBRZ office (310 - 6 Street South). The goal is to have a number of these whirly-gig type sculptures installed throughout the downtown core. We want to take full advantage of one of the enduring features of Southern Alberta - the wind.

The DBRZ is also working with another local artist, Jason Trotter, on a historic mural depicting an image of one of the many electric streetcars that graced our downtown streets during the turn of last century. This mural project is a joint partnership between the property owners of the installation site (309 - 6 Street S.), DBRZ and the City of Lethbridge's Heart of Our City Revitalization Committee. The mural is expected to completed and installed sometime during the summer of 2011.

Jason is responsible for five other historic murals that have been installed throughout the downtown. Jason stencils photographic images on perforated metal sheets that can be installed, and potentially relocated, on a variety of building surfaces.

For more information on Alex Pavlenko or Jason Trotter, please contact Ted at the DBRZ office - 403-327-9002.