All in, Al Fresco – Week 7
By Melody Pereira
Welcome back to All in, Al Fresco! My name is Melody (she/her) and I am the Downtown District’s Marketing Assistant Summer Student for 2021. Follow along with me each week for updates as we dive into the details of all the exciting things that will be happening at our hugely successful summer event – Al Fresco.
Al Fresco is back for its second year this summer until August and we are so excited for all the fun to be had. Al Fresco means “done or eaten in the open air” and this signature event is designed so that visitors can enjoy the summer rays while supporting the downtown business and promoting community!
So, get ready to come do it Al Fresco in the District with me!
Final Week of Light Installations
They’re light, and they’re bright, and they’re here for one more week only in the Downtown District! Our 5 magnificent light installations have lined the streets of the downtown for Al Fresco this summer. Our installations will stand tall in the Downtown core until Monday August 9th. Come out and be WOWed by our Al Fresco archway at Bridge & Front, the glowing walk-through tunnel placed at Victoria and Front, and the glowing PLAY sign at the corner of Front & Pinnacle. Relax in the amazing LED couches or take photos in the light-up swings on Front Street. These are a true MUST SEE in the Downtown District – if you haven’t already, make plans to be come and enjoy them before they’re gone!
Meet us at the Market!
The downtown market featuring Side Hustle is coming back to the Downtown District this Friday, August 6th from 5pm – 9pm. Make your way to the street closure on Front Street for amazing finds from local artisans. With many different unique products from t-shirts to jewelry to greeting cards, there truly is something for everyone! Check out the morning market lineup on the Side Hustle Instagram or Facebook page to see what we’ve got in store.
Need a sweet treat while you shop? The Sweet Retreat setting up a table again to spin some sugary cotton candy goodness with all the flavours you can think of!
Bazaar Artisan Market will be having a sidewalk sale in conjunction with all this fun from 5-9pm Friday & Saturday evening.
See ya there!
Big things ahead!
We’ve got big things in store for Al Fresco to send off the summer, and I mean big! Currently located across from City Hall we have the Downtown District’s newest attraction – the GIANT Adirondack chair! Grab a photo of the whole family up on the chair this summer as you explore what is going on Downtown. We will be working behind the scenes this week to do some fun new painting updates to the chair so we can truly rep the Downtown District!
Come Play a Tune!
On now! Stop by Century Village to test your talents at the keys with not just one but two painted pianos for public enjoyment. The pianos are open each day, weather permitting. Beautifully painted by local artists, these pianos are the perfect way to get out in the sun and play some music. Not so musically inclined? Come on down and listen to the tunes and be sure to cheer for the musicians. We can’t wait to see you there!
For more information on the pianos, visit downtownbelleville.ca/painted-pianos .
Free Games on Front
Meet me in the Front Street closure every Thursday and Friday from 3 – 5 pm for lots of family fun and games. Bring the kids out on their summer holidays to play some Ladderball and Giant Jenga and enjoy the fresh summer air, thanks to Scalliwag Toys. This will be the second last week of free games on Front Street for the summer – don’t miss it. Free games & summer sun – how much better can it get?
Find out more about how you can #doitalfresco in the District this summer here.
Tiger Chicken and Ribs
190 Front Street
Craving some diverse and delicious fast food that’s not like all the rest? Tiger Chicken & Ribs has a BRAND NEW location downtown Belleville! The new opening marks the second location for Tiger Chicken & Ribs in the region following their hugely successful location in Trenton. Their famous rotisserie chicken and BBQ pork ribs will leave you wanting more. The menu includes home-cooked food Come check out the brand new beautifully renovated space on Front Street, or order some takeout to try it for yourself. With 20 plus years of experience, the chefs offer many new and delicious food for your desiring palate with. the mission of having customers explore the different flavours they bring to the plate, broadening their taste buds. Check out the menu here or visit their website. Join in the fun of Tiger Chicken & Ribs’ GRAND OPENING this Friday, August 6th – Welcome to Belleville!
Obi’s Kitchen
199 Front Street
Has anyone been learning home cuisine during this quarantine? Obi’s Kitchen is a specialty grocery store and one-stop shop for everything to make home cooking spicy and TASTY. Their mission is to empower the unsung heroes of home chefs and invite beginners in the kitchen to serve up mouth-watering dishes that friends and family will love. It begins with the fabled secret ingredient and Obi’s has you covered! they’ve also got a wide variety of specialty diet items and lots of fun and unique candies and sweets. Stop in for the best sauces and home cooking fixings – the home of all “secret ingredients”. Keep up to date with products and amazing raffles on the Obi’s Kitchen Facebook page and be sure to check out their website to browse and shop online for great products!
