The rousing sounds of a Dixieland jazz band combined with a potpourri of outdoor shopping venues will make Sylvan Lake’s downtown core a happening place tomorrow (Friday).
Sylvan Lake’s Farmers’ Market will move downtown this week, said manager Crystal Loewen.
“We thought we would do something different. We did it in conjunction with the jazz festival and as a way to increase activity in the downtown core. It is a great idea and will be lots of fun.”
Mayor Susan Samson said bringing the farmers’ market downtown is a great initiative.
The town and the chamber have promoted other activities such as Midnight Madness and bringing the Stanley Cup to the downtown as ways to “create a buzz” and liven up the area, she said.
“The lake and the lakefront is the showpiece of Sylvan Lake and the downtown core sits right on the front step.”
She said the closure of Cobbs Foods has made it especially challenging to keep the downtown core “healthy and strong”.
Matt Cornell, Sylvan Lake’s economic development officer said the farmers’ market downtown will help create a more busy “look and feel” to the area.
“Bringing the Stanley Cup downtown certainly did that and Midnight Madness went over quite well as well,” he said.
Catherine Bais, executive director for the chamber of commerce said manpower is needed to help Farmers’ Market vendors set up and to direct traffic. Anyone who wishes to volunteer may contact the chamber office at 403-887-3048.
The farmers’ market will run from 4-7:30 p.m. and will feature a face painter and bouncy castle as well as 60 to 70 regular vendors.
50th Street will be closed from Lakeshore Drive south to the 50th Avenue (CIBC corner) and a portion of 50A Avenue will be closed from 50A Street (the post office corner) east to 50th Street (to accommodate fruit trucks), said Cornell.
The H.O.T. Dixieland Jazz Band will perform at the Farmers’ Market beginning at 5 p.m.