Summer in the City

Summer is always a very busy time for downtown. It's that time of year when festivals, events and concerts burst out, filling our streets with people, music and entertainment. Whether it's the Fringe Festival, a free concert in the park, or a Goldeyes game, there is always something great happening downtown.

I'm particularly excited about this summer because one the biggest events we've ever put on is happening. Lights on Broadway and Ciclovia take place from September 10-12, and I can't begin to tell you how fantastic it's going to be.

For three days, we're shutting down a portion of Broadway and bringing programming for everyone. We're getting a lot of help from our friends at Manitoba Homecoming 2010, Manitoba Hydro, Winnipeg Cultural Capital of Canada 2010 and the City of Winnipeg.

It all starts with a Lighting Design Competition. We've invited four top-notch lighting designers from across North America to come show off what they can do.

They'll each be lighting a block of Broadway, focusing on the majestic elms that line the street. The designs will not only be eye-catching, they will also use the latest in energy-saving technology and be designed to protect delicate nature of the trees. They'll be setting up on the evening of September 10 and the competition will run on the evenings of September 11 and 12.

The competition includes a jury selection and the winning design will be chosen to create what we hope will be a permanent lighting installation on Broadway in 2011. We hope this competition is just the beginning of a legacy to be enjoyed by generations to come.

As the designers set up on Broadway, we'll also be showing a Movie in the Park on the lawn of Memorial Park. Bring the kids, the grandkids and even the adults and sit and relax under the stars as classic favourite The Princess Bride is shown on a giant inflatable screen.

Also on September 10, Taste of Downtown Winnipeg kicks off. This three-day wine and cheese festival happens in Memorial Park. Seven wine tasting clusters will feature different varieties of wine, including one with rare, vintage varieties. As you sip your shiraz, you can also nibble on gourmet cheese, olives and crackers. The event continues throughout the weekend on Saturday and Sunday as well.

Moving on to Saturday, September 11, we've got Dance on Broadway. Get that salsa lesson you've always wanted or swing to the beats of the Ron Paley big band. We've dubbed it "the biggest dance party in the world" when two stages will rotate performers all evening long. Watch for two spectacular stages--one designed to look like a dust bowl dance hall and the other a discotheque.

If all that activity isn't enough, there is another full day of excitement happening on Sunday, September 12 as well. In the morning there is the 10+10 Running Race starting and ending in Memorial Park.

This 10 km or 10 mile race is perfect for the whole family. The scenic route makes it way down Wellington Crescent and Assiniboine Park and heads back downtown where tons of entertainment is waiting for you. Sign up at runningroom.com. And for those who love their swag, all entrants get a technical t-shirt and finisher's medal as well.

After you've burned a few calories running, head back to Broadway for Ciclovia. This is the second year we've put on the healthy-living, eco-friendly event and we know it's going to be even bigger and better.

Last September, almost 10,000 people came down to the north side of Broadway which was closed to traffic from Osborne to Main Street. We celebrated active transportation with bike demos, healthy lifestyles with fitness classes and the community with a farmers' market, kids zone, craft market, music and so much more. The Forks will also be hosting a concert at Scotiabank Stage that afternoon.

It's going to be an amazing weekend that I know will foster community spirit. For more details be sure to visit our website at downtownwinnipegbiz.com