Kincardine works to support events affected by Downtown Dig

The Municipality of Kincardine has been working with local event planners to ensure local events go well, especially with the downtown dig set to begin soon. Planning for the summer of 2023 began as the 2022 season wound down. That included a review of strategies and streamlining processes to ensure the events continue to build a community connection.

Event hosting is a major undertaking, often led by community groups and residents, but the Municipality also plays host to several signature events, in collaboration with local groups.

Mayor Ken Craig was pleased to see many organizations have been able to adapt their event to the upcoming construction on Queen Street. He said these initiatives provide economic, recreational, and cultural benefits.

“These events are important in so many ways to our community. It seems to me that we owe the organizations who have been flexible with their plans a huge thanks,” said Craig.

Craig also pointed to the efforts of municipal staff in ensuring beloved events and parades continue in the months ahead.

“Staff have many things to consider as they approve special event applications,” he said. “Safety is always paramount. Staff have been looking at all angles, venues, and options as they help organizations. They’re doing good work.”

Kincardine residents can learn more about the Downtown Dig at an open house Wednesday. The $7.4 million tender for the project was approved in January for for the reconstructions of Queen Street through the downtown. Property owners, business operators, and residents can learn more about the project, March 8 at the Kincardine Davidson Centre from 3 to 5 p.m. Construction is slated to begin at the end of March, weather permitting.

“The summer of 2022 was a great year with the return of community events following the pandemic,” said Lorie Fioze, Manager of Strategic Initiatives for the Municipality. “Following the season and knowing that the summer ahead would be impacted by the Downtown Dig, we sat down with community organizers to plan around the construction.”

“We met one-on-one with each group, some of them multiple times,” said Fioze. “We wanted them to have every opportunity to start looking at how their event could still go on, even with the Dig. We’ve been working together with organizations to make sure that, even though their event may be different for 2023, it can still happen successfully.”

Events already confirmed for the 2023 season include:

– Blinky’s Bash: A Kick-off Event for the Downtown Dig: March 18 , 2023 from 1 to 4 p.m.; Queen Street in Downtown Kincardine
– Home and Garden Expo hosted by the Kincardine and District Chamber of Commerce: April 28 and 29, 2023; Davidson Centre, Kincardine
– Hike for Hospice hosted by Huron Shores Hospice: May 13, 2023; Davidson Centre, Kincardine
– Tour of Kincardine: a cross-town bike race ending at Geddes Park: May 14, 2023; Kincardine
– Rock with Your Docs: June 17, 2023; Davidson Centre, Kincardine
– Pride Parade and Celebration: June 24, 2023; Macpherson and Dunsmoor Parks, Kincardine
– Market in the Park: every Monday, all summer: May 22 to July 3 and July 17 to August 28, 2023; Connaught Park, Kincardine. July 10 and September 4 , 2023; Tiverton and District Sports Centre, Tiverton
– Piping in the Park with the Kincardine Scottish Pipe Band: every Saturday, all summer: July 1 to September 2, 2023; Durham Market Square North and Victoria Park, Kincardine
– Canada Day Celebrations: July 1, 2023; Macpherson and Dunsmoor Parks, Kincardine
– Kincardine Scottish Festival: July 7, 8, and 9, 2023; Victoria Park and the Flats, Kincardine
– Bruce Telecom Lighthouse Blues Festival with Five stages, Children’s Zone, and Artisans: July 14, 15, and 16, 2023; throughout Downtown Kincardine
– Chantry Chinook Fishing Derby: July 22 nd to August 6, 2023; Station Beach, Kincardine
– Bulldogs Beach Dance: July 29, 2023; Reunion Park, Kincardine
– Cruise Day: August 5, 2023; Kincardine Municipal Airport
– Gathering of the Bands: August 26, 2023; Victoria Park, Kincardine
– Marine Heritage Event: August 26, 2023; north pier and along Red Trail, Kincardine

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