Category Archives: Events

Home and Garden Show 2012

Business Info, Events, People

The 2011 St. Thomas Home, Garden and Outdoor Living Show held at the Timken Centre this past spring was a huge success.  The 2012 show will run from March 29th to April 2nd.  As a DDB we have the opportunity to take exclusive use of The Doug Tarry Room at the Timken Centre.  It can be divided into 16-20 booths and includes a small community and entertainment area.  We can make this area the “Place to Be” for show visitors.  So far about 13 downtown businesses, as well as our own DDB, have agreed to be part of this project but we need you to make it a success.  If all booths are reserved the cost can be substantially reduced to $400 from the normal cost of $470.

Idea for our Downtown St. Thomas area include a grand banner entrance that can’t be missed, a music and entertainment schedule, floral displays, free samples of food and beverages from downtown restaurants, special business promotions and lots of give-aways including our famous DDB shopping bags.

But you must act soon!  Please contact Earl Taylor at 519-670-9223 or Sherry Chambers at 519-631-1966 immediately to reserve your space.

 

Tree Lighting Ceremony

Events, Holiday Season

Once again, we will have our annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at City Hall.

It will be held between 6-9pm. on Friday, November 18, 2011.

This year’s tree will be aglow with over 2000 white LED bulbs (you’re welcome to count them all).  Our thanks to St. Thomas Energy, Canadian Tire and the City’s Parks and Recreation Department   Entertainment will be performed by our own Arthur Voaden Musical group.  Refreshments provided by Tim Horton and the DDB.  MyFM will be on hand to welcome our special guest …. SANTA on board his special ride, a shiny bright red Fire Truck.

We encourage one and all to provide donations to the Caring Cupboard (canned goods) and to Inn Out of the Cold. (clothing and food containers).

Come and Enjoy

 

WHAT WE HAVE ACCOMPLISHED

Events, Flowers, Holiday Season, People, Photos, Trains

Fall is a time for reflection.  Since the election of the current board many changes have been implemented.   Let’s take the time to review what we have accomplished.   The  points listed  are not in any particular order.    Editor

  • Attended the London Home and Lifestyle Show
  • Supported Holy Angel’s 100 Anniversary
  • Attended the Home,. Garden and Outdoor Living Show in St. Thomas
  • Distributed a survey to participants at Home Show to determine what matters to our community
  • Held Town Hall meeting to discuss concerns for the Downtown and to get initial input into new marketing strategies.
  • Downsized the administrative position
  • Reviewed previous board budgets and reallocated financial resources to meet new priorities
  • As a result of the financial review,  new fiscal policies created to increase accountability
  • New website has been created and is being developed for content
  • New full colour newsletter format created
  • New directory and database is being created
  • An email directory is also being developed to increase communications with community and DDB members
  • Participated in the Downtown Spring Clean up
  • Creation of new banners within the core area.
  • Creation of new Art in the Park program. Two dates were determined with good participation and success on each date.
  • Hiring of summer student to maintain the cleanliness of our downtown.
  • Review of the Downtown Dollars Program
  • Established constructive communication protocol with Mayor and City Council
  • Increased advocacy to highlight areas of concerns within the downtown which need to be addressed.
  • Improved public safety through bicycle signage and age and enforcement
  • Ongoing development of  new logo and marketing strategies
  • Procured an independent bookkeeper
  • We now utilize a volunteer model to cover most aspects of operating the DDB office.
  • What’s Ahead

    Review of advertising wall at Timken Centre

    Upgrades for Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony and Holiday Decorations

    Replacement of Garbage Cans on streets

    Expanded area at the 2012 Home, Garden and Outdoor Living Show

    New Art Program for 2012

     

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

HOLIDAY DECORATIONS AND PROMOTIONS

Events, Holiday Season, People

Planning and preparations for the Holiday season in our downtown are well under way.

Look for more Holiday wreaths to be put up before the annual Santa Claus Parade.  Additional wreaths and decorations are being purchased to decorate the majority of our downtown.

The Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony will be different this year.  Preliminary plans are being considered for more and brighter lights on the tree.   The board is also investigating other activities this year that will encourage more participants to our downtown.  Look for more details on our website as they become available.  If you have suggestions please email them to our office.  info@downtownstthomas.com

 

 

ART IN THE PARK by Katherine Medlyn

Events, People

On Aug 13 th, Park Art was a great success, thanks to the wonderful St. Thomas-Elgin Public Art Centre for donating their tents as well as being there with a free kid craft centre.  Further thanks as well to the 21 artists for taking part in this opportunity to create something positive in our downtown core.

St. Thomas has quite the variety of artists using a myriad of mediums, especially in this recession we seem to be in.  So many people are taking their talents to new limits and re-working them into an expression of art and themselves.  A true artist can make something beautiful from practically nothing and a great idea.

For those who couldn’t make it, let me try to recreate a vision for you.  There were painters, sculptors, sewers, rug weavers, beaded jewelers, mosaic artists, photographers with a range of talents and experience.  All demonstrating their craft.  It was so inspiring to see everyone appreciating each others technique and giving each other tips and encouragement in the arts.

Station Parkette was an ideal location with plenty of room for future events in the years to come.  Again thanks to everyone who came out to appreciate the arts.

With the success of this program we are looking forward to putting all the great suggestions together and having an even bigger and better series of events  next year.

To St. Thomas artists,  this is our time to take part in bringing our city back from these difficult times and turning it back into something positive we can be proud of and call home.