Bridge Street Bazaar part of hectic Civic Holiday weekend
Posted Jul 29, 2010 By Jeff Maguire
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Tweet ThisEMC Events - Carleton Place will be one of the busiest places in eastern Ontario this weekend with thousands of people expected to descend on the community for two major Civic Holiday events.
The seventh Riverside Jam on the Mississippi country music festival runs from Friday night through Sunday at beautiful Riverside Park (see separate story).
Leading the way however will be the fifth 'Bridge Street Bazaar', the downtown retail and entertainment festival which just keeps on growing.
Sponsored by the Carleton Place Business Improvement Association (BIA), which represents more than 150 retail and other businesses in a specific geographical area including Bridge St., registrations could reach an all-time high.
"The registrations have just poured in this year. There is so much interest in this event," says Cathie McOrmond, coordinator of the BIA.
Registrations topped the 110 mark last Wednesday (July 21), nine days before the bazaar. And with late registrations the rule rather than the exception, BIA staff is expecting to equal if not surpass last year's record total.
Two years ago the vendor total broke the 100 barrier. Last summer some 140 firms were represented on the town's main street on a perfect summer day.
"We've had more inquiries yesterday and today and I'm expecting many last minute registrations," McOrmond observes.
"This is our fifth event so it is something of a landmark year for us. We're really looking forward to it," she stresses.
The bazaar was originally designed to compliment Riverside Jam and organizers continue to work closely with the Diamond Foundation which sponsors the country music extravaganza.
But the main street festival, first launched in 2006, has clearly taken on a life of its own. Besides Jam-goers it appeals to a cross-section of local and area residents, offering something for people of all ages.
"We started it (bazaar) to give concert-goers and residents something to do in the morning on the Saturday of the Jam," McOrmond explains. "But it has now become a major event for the community as a whole and the district."
Working with the Jam committee, the BIA is continuing to sponsor pontoon boats which ferry festival-goers to and from Riverside Park along the picturesque Mississippi River. The regular bus service between the concert venue and downtown Carleton Place will also operate this Saturday.
Also this year, thanks to Partners Advantage GMAC Real Estate, there will be a new and unique method of transport available.
"They (GMAC) are sponsoring two rickshaws. They'll operate between the RV site (Bodnar Park) and will run the full length of Bridge St.," McOrmond explains.
Campers are an important part of Riverside Jam. With more than 400 recreational vehicle sites available in Bodnar and Riverside parks, there are usually lots of passengers available for the various transportation services.
The Jam committee will also have a booth at the event this year offering information as well as selling tickets and souvenirs.
HOLIDAY THEME
The theme of this year's Bridge Street Bazaar is "Christmas in July" and clearly the event is aimed mainly at buyers.
"There will be lots of vendors. We have every kind of business imaginable represented this year," the BIA coordinator says.
"Many businesses are now taking (renting) multiple spaces on the street. They (firms) obviously want to increase their marketing potential."
Besides those who come in strictly for the bazaar, many existing downtown businesses and virtually all of the restaurants on Bridge St. are also expected to take part.
For example, The Barge (formerly Mississippi Ale House and previously the Queen's Hotel) plans to operate an outdoor patio all day Saturday.
The bazaar runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Bridge St. will be closed to vehicular traffic from 7 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. to allow for set-up and take-down. The area affected by the closure begins at the corner of Bridge St.-Lake Ave.-Moore St. and runs north to Mill St.
The venture is aimed at the entire family and there will be lots of entertainment for young and old alike.
The always popular 'Kidz Zone', sponsored by various businesses and organizations, is being expanded this weekend. Besides face painting, children's games and activities there will also be pony rides and a petting zoo.
A new highlight will be 'World of Wonders', a carnival/circus attraction aimed mainly at the younger set. Proceeds from World of Wonders will be donated to the Lanark County Food Bank in Carleton Place, McOrmond notes.
Also back in 2010 is the annual pancake breakfast sponsored by the Masonic Lodge. It will be held in front of their Bridge St. building, opposite the Post Office.
The Carleton Place Sister City Committee, which sponsors student exchanges to the town's two twin communities of Comrie, Scotland and Franklin, Tennessee U.S.A., will hold a barbecue on the street. It will operate under the sponsorship of the Giant Tiger department store in Carleton Place who will also offer other activities aimed at children.
All proceeds from the Sister City barbecue will go to help fund the student exchange program, including the first such venture to Scotland which will run this summer from Aug. 19-30.
St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church on Bridge St. will hold a fundraiser featuring music on the church lawn and a bake sale. Proceeds will go to assist a family in which the young mother was badly injured in a recent vehicle-pedestrian mishap.
Also taking part again this year is Arts Carleton Place. The organization will operate their always popular "Artists' Village." Representatives of the arts' group will also be selling tickets for Sounds of Downtown, an annual musical event which will be held Saturday, Sept. 11.
Music is also an important part of Bridge Street Bazaar. The entertainment, which is being organized by local musician and BIA board member Mike Maher, will take place in the municipal parking lot opposite the Bridge St. bank buildings. The portable stage is being donated by Cavanagh Construction of Ashton Station.
As mentioned, the BIA will again offer their free pontoon boat shuttle to take Riverside Jam campers to and from the downtown. It will run between the dock in Riverside Park and the municipal pier located just off the town parking lot, opposite the historic Town Hall. Boats will be in service Thursday and Friday afternoons from 12 noon to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
McOrmond says anyone can use the pontoon boat service to enjoy a cruise on the river. However, only those who hold Jam tickets will be allowed to alight at the dock in Riverside Park.
"If you don't have a ticket, you'll have to take a round trip," she laughs. "But yes, the boat rides are open to anyone."
For more information about Bridge Street Bazaar visit the website: www.gettoknowcarletonplace.com and click on the link near the top of the main page.
To reach McOrmond or BIA summer staff telephone 613-257-8049 or e-mail: cmcormond@carletonplace.ca
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