The theme for Heritage Week 2015 in British Columbia is Main Street: At The Heart of the Community. The week kicks off with the national Heritage Day designated by Heritage Canada The National Trust.
Main Street, King Street, Queen Street, Water Street, Market Street, Broadway—whatever their name, main streets and traditional downtowns are at the heart of communities big and small across British Columbia.
Centres of commerce, civic institutions, community commemoration and events, main streets embody the history and evolution of a community.
The gallery 2 Heritage Committee will be commemorating the revitalization of the Grand Forks downtown “Main Street.” Local businesses have agreed to set up displays in their stores in honour of our main street theme.
Gallery 2 has set up a public display taking visitors back 60 years ago to Market Avenue and sharing a glimpse of times past. The display will open Feb. 17 and run into mid-March. For those who love to reminisce please come and spend some time at gallery 2.
Darlene Dautel, artist and owner of Moonflower Studio of Fine Art, will be hosting a drawing/painting session in her Market Avenue Studio on Thursday, Feb. 19. The session will run from 6:30 - 8:30 in the evening and all are welcome. People are encouraged to bring a favourite heritage item to draw or paint during the evening. Please bring your own supplies.
Gallery 2 will be leading participating school classes from Perley Elementary and J.A. Hutton Elementary in a painting activity in celebration of Heritage Week and will be in town Feb. 17 - 19,. Watch for a bustle of activity in the old Acres Drug Store building (most recently occupied by Work n Play) on the corner of Market Avenue and Second Street. The children’s artwork will be displayed in windows so make sure you come and check it out. We also want to thank the Phillips family for sharing their building with the community for this event.
There will be a “Living Book” session at the Grand Forks Library, Friday, Feb. 20 at 3 p.m. Come listen to the stories about Grand Forks shared by local residents and bring your stories with you.
Today many communities are leveraging the heritage of their downtowns as assets to stimulate tourism, attract new residents, provide affordable housing, and encourage investment by creating affordable space for smaller businesses and start-ups, as well as authentic retail experiences.
This Heritage Week celebrates the history of our main streets and the revitalization of traditional downtowns throughout British Columbia. Come show your support.
For more information call 250 442 2211 or visit the Heritage BC website, heritagebc.ca/heritage-week-2015.