Lakeside downtown Kincardine to celebrate the re-opening of Queen Street at Hometown Christmas

The Municipality of Kincardine and Lakeside Downtown Kincardine BIA have something extra to celebrate today, November 17th at Hometown Christmas: the completion of the Downtown Dig for 2023.

The seven-million-dollar plus investment in the downtown’s underground infrastructure began earlier this year, closing Queen Street from Durham Market Square South to Durham Street in phased sections.

“Crews completed concrete work earlier this week and are finishing the asphalt in Phase 3 today,” said Cherie Leslie, Community Economic Development Coordinator for the Municipality of Kincardine. “We’re so excited to see this construction project coming to its end. To be able to celebrate alongside the BIA’s annual Hometown Christmas event is amazing.”

Festivities begin at 5:00 p.m. with the opening ceremony and ribbon cutting at 5:30 p.m. at the entrance to Victoria Park. Blinky, the BIA’s beloved mascot, will also be on-hand to make the grand prize draw from the shop and dine passport entries as part of the opening ceremony.

“There’s going to be an early Christmas gift for someone on Friday night,” smiled Amanda Goetz, Downtown Development Manager for the BIA. “The grand prize draw is for $1,000 BIA Bucks! To win it, you had to have your completed passport into Fincher’s by Thursday, November 16th.”

Celebrations will continue the length of Queen Street from Durham Market Square South all the way to just south of 960 Queen Street (Circle K.) A petting zoo, horse-drawn carriage rides, live music, and visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus are just a few of the highlights. Downtown businesses are also staying open late, giving shoppers the opportunity to check things off those holiday lists.

Finishing touches for the Downtown Dig in 2024 include the addition of aesthetic elements like benches, planters, and trees. A final topcoat of asphalt in the fall will complete the entire process.

For more information about the Downtown Dig visit www.kincardine.ca/DowntownDig.