Once again downtown – the four blocks where Ross and Gaetz intersect – will be the site of CentreFest, Red Deer’s annual street performers festival.

Now in its seventh year, CentreFest has grown to become Central Alberta’s largest festival, with weekend attendance estimated at 20,000 plus.  In addition to the variety of street performers, the festival includes food and artisan booths along Ross Street.

Festival organizers encourage interested vendors to visit the Vendor pages at www.centrefest.ca for information and application forms.  Applications must be received by May 15, 2009.

The two-day festival also has an opportunity for not-for-profit organizations to promote at the entrance booths, for more information on this no-cost opportunity, contact the Red Deer Downtown Business Association at 403.340.8696.

The April 10, 2009 deadline for nominations for the annual Yellow Pages Group Make It Real Awards is fast approaching.  If you are a small business (50 or fewer employees) that has demonstrated outstanding community involvement you could win cash.

Contributions to the community could include (but are not limited to) fundraising for a worthy cause; donations of cash, time or resources; environmentally friendly business practices; social responsibility programs and employment equity initiatives.

Under the Make It Real Program, the winning business in the Platinum category will receive $5000 and $1500 is awarded to the charity of their choice.  There is also a Gold prize category.

Businesses can also be nominated by a supplier, customer, community organization, another business or an individual. There are no entry fees.

For more information and to nominate, visit Make It Real online.