The Downtown Business Association would like to take this moment to remind all of the downtown businesses that we encourage your involvement with CentreFest 2010, July 31st and August 1st.  Last year's CentreFest drew an estimated 20 000 people to the downtown over the two day festival, and we hope that this increase in traffic will have a positive effect on your business. 

We would also like to remind all businesses who are planning on having involvement with CentreFest to please let us know.  As we continue planning CentreFest, we need to ensure that the plans of the committee do not conflict with the plans of individual businesses.  Businesses taking part in any way, be it a sidewalk sale, applying as a vendor, or any other form of involvement, are asked to contact the Downtown Business Association at 403-340-8696. 

Yet another sign of spring in the downtown is the opening of the patios of our downtown restaurants.  Cafe Pichilingue, La Casa Pergola and Lava Ultralounge patios are now open for your enjoyment.  So come on downtown and enjoy some of the finest cuisine in Red Deer.

Have you ever wondered what motivates young workers of today? Why are they so different from my workers from other generations? How can I build a strong team with representation from every generation? Well, if you have ever wondered about these topics, the Downtown Business Association’s final seminar in the three part “Lunch and Learn” series will be tackling these questions, plus many more regarding the seemingly strange youth of today. Presented by expert Kristen Cumming, this seminar promises to be great fun, and extremely informative.

For more information, or to register for this seminar, please call the Downtown Business Association at 403-340-8696. 

When: Wednesday, May 26
11:30am – 1:30pm
Where: Pine Lake Room, Red Deer Lodge
Cost: $25 for BRZ ratepayers and $30 for all others

As is tradition for the past 40 years, the Public Market will be opening this Saturday, May 22, for the first time this year. The Red Deer Public Market has a strong history and is one of the most unique shopping experiences that can be found in Red Deer. Everything from fresh produce to prepared food to collectibles can be found at the public market, making it a diverse and exciting morning for all. The public market runs from 8 am to 12:30 every Saturday until October 9, at the Red Deer Arena parking lot, 4773, 43 St., Red Deer.

In addition to the weekly Public Market, the Downtown Business Association is proud to announce the all new Downtown Farmers Market, taking place every Wednesday from June 2nd through October 6, 2010. This market will focus exclusively on locally produced fruits, vegetables, breads, plants, and any other types of produce available, giving a central location to shop locally in the downtown area. The parking lot of the former Arlington Inn is the site location for the new Farmer’s Market,
 

(Red Deer, Alberta) – As the weather warms, farmers’ market enthusiasts will find they can now buy local one more day of the week.

The Downtown Business Association is pleased to announce that they will be introducing a new Downtown Market at the former Arlington Inn site on the corner of 51 Avenue and 49 Street beginning in June.

The market will open in time for bedding plants, veggie seedlings and, with luck, the first strawberries of the season. The Downtown Market will feature only products that are locally, grown, raised and prepared, with the exception of BC fruit that is not available locally.

“There has been a lot of buzz in the community about another market, but nothing definite. At the same time the Downtown Business Association is looking to further promote its ‘shop local’ messaging, to encourage people to walk through downtown, and always to attract new visitors. I suppose it just seemed natural that we would start a market downtown,” says Laura Turner, Executive Director.

The Downtown Business Association sees this as a pilot project for 2010, but has been working with Alberta Agriculture to ensure that the market complies with the Alberta Approved Farmers’ Market criteria and regulations.

The Downtown Market will complement the Public Market held at the downtown arena on Saturday mornings. “We chose to operate as a farmers’ market and chose Wednesdays. We’re offering a mid-week opportunity to stock up on fresh foods, says Turner. “We expect the market will attract foodies, those who care about ethical, good food as well as downtown residents and workers. We see this as another valuable opportunity to encourage people to visit and shop downtown and support local businesses.”

The new Downtown Market will be held Wednesdays from 4pm to 7pm, June 2nd through October 6th. The markets will take place, rain or shine, at the old Arlington Inn site.
 

You may have noticed new metal fixtures being installed on some of our downtown light standards. These 8 fixtures are the new downtown poster-wraps, installed through a partnership between the City of Red Deer, and the Downtown Business Association. The poster-wraps are intended to further promote the events and activities of the downtown through poster advertising. As a part of this pilot project, these guideposts are being installed in high pedestrian traffic areas.

Your feedback regarding the installation of the poster-wraps is important to us. Inquiries and comments may be sent to us at info@downtownreddeer.com.

The Vendor application deadline for CentreFest 2010 is upon us!  Central Alberta’s largest festival is a great place for local vendors, craftspeople and artists to set up shop for the weekend. Be it handy trinkets, a nice snack, or an original work of art, it has a place at CentreFest. The Application deadline is May 14th, please include payment with all applications. Any inquries, please contact Randy Butler, CentreFest festival director, at 403-340-8696, or randy@downtownreddeer.com

The R.C.M.P. Foot and Bicycle Patrols of the Downtown core will once again be active this summer.  The foot patrol has been merged with the Community Response team, making for a more efficient presence in the downtown.  Patrolling officers include:

Cst. Dean Grunow
Cst. Chris Penney
Cst. Chantel Vautour
Cst. Morley Statchuk
Cst. Chris Skabar

School resource officers will also be involved in this role from the end of June, up until the beginning on the school year this fall.  In addition, Parks Community Peace Officers will also be patrolling downtown park areas, and the Street Team and Crime Reduction Team will also be doing Criminal Code Enforcement in the downtown core, along with the rest of the City. Enhanced policing of two to four more individuals occurs on the weekends, with the main focus being the entertainment areas of the downtown.