The Downtown Penticton Association is hosting a block party to celebrate the revitalized streetscape in the 300-block of Main Street.
From 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday there will be a full line up of live music, entertainment and activities for all ages.
“Everyone’s really enthusiastic about the grand re-opening of the block. Stores and restaurants will be open for people’s enjoyment and there will be music and entertainment along the street,” said Lynn Allin, executive director for the Downtown Penticton Association.
According to Allin, since learning that the construction would be officially done for June 15 the 300 block businesses have quickly pulled together to plan a community celebration.
Related: Construction on 300-block on target
The block party marks the end of construction that closed this section of Main Street for three months while the City of Penticton completed significant infrastructure upgrades. The $2.185 million project replaced aging water main and storm sewer infrastructure and underground electrical services. It also provided surface improvements of new asphalt, raised intersections, wider sidewalks, curbs, traffic signals and street lighting. Costs for beautification elements such as vendor power, trees, landscaping, irrigation, benches, bike racks and bollards were shared with property owners. Property owners contributed $300,000 for the streetscape enhancements.
“In our beautiful 300-block, 200-block, 100-block and further up on Main Street we will be adding some night life. It will be some things we haven’t seen for awhile. We will have our trees wrapped with LED lights so the ambience is going to be beautiful. Many of our patio restaurants are going to have buskers — professional artists who will be invited to come out and play. We want people to come out after work and join us for an appetizer and enjoy the music,” said Allin.
In Nanaimo Square there are plans for the stage built out of concrete, outside of CIBC, to be utilized a lot more during the week.
“The Downtown Penticton Association has a new program called Live at Lunch and every lunch hour for July and August from noon to 1 p.m. we are going to have our local artists performing here. Nanaimo Square is going to be alive with entertainment and music. A place to sit and have your lunch, or grab some lunch at a local restaurant, and come on down and join us. We are going to make our downtown square awesome this summer,” said Allin.
The block party event will include performances by Boundless Belly Dance, Black Widow Rope Spinners (competitive rope skipping team) and local band Jack N Jill. A masked superhero may visit early in the evening along with a couple of royal princess – so the DPA reminds those planning to attend to have your cameras ready. Along the street will be a bouncy relay for kids, wine tasting tents for adults, glitter tattoos and hennas, a station to paint a masterpiece and more. The official ribbon cutting ceremony with invited dignitaries is scheduled for 6 p.m. While it lasts, cupcake cake will be served after the ceremony
For more information about We’re Open For You, Main Street’s 300 block party visit www.downtownpenticton.org/300blockparty.