Downtown St. Marys BIA

☀️💦 Warm weather is upon us. Don't forget to STAY HYDRATED. ⁠ ⁠ There are places you can cool off during periods of extreme heat and humidity this summer - including downtown at the St. Marys Public Library. And with a cold drink at the historical Weir fountain. ⁠ ⁠ Other cool spots: ⁠ Pyramid Rec Centre, St. Marys Public Library, Aquatics Centre Pool (at PRC), St. Marys Quarry, PRC Splash Pad, and Cadzow Splash Pad.

Stonetown Heritage Festival is definitely a family affair. The well-loved KIDS ZONE is on again this year. With free children's activities, inflatables, face painting and much more! Even the teens and tweens have stuff to do. ⁠ ⁠ Check out this year's Schedule of Events in our BIO LINK.

🦆🌾🇨🇦 Happy Canada Day from Downtown St. Marys! ⁠ ⁠ Wishing you a serene and joyful start to July as we embrace the warmth of summer.⁠ 🌞⁠ ⁠ A perfect capture by 📸 @lucidmusingsphotography

🇨🇦 As we celebrate Canada Day this long weekend, we're thinking about ways appreciate our own piece of Canada. The upcoming Stonetown Heritage Festival is the perfect opportunity to do just that. ⁠ ⁠ Have you planned out your weekend yet? Here Freya is enjoying an immense pile of cotton candy she scored over at the Kids' Zone. ⁠ ⁠ This year head downtown for: ⁠ 🛍️ Sidewalk Sale Shopping and Vendor Market (+ store special events)⁠ 🤹🏼‍♂️ Street Entertainment (Queen and Water streets will be closed off to traffic)⁠ 🤡 Kids Zone (activities, inflatables, face painting and much more)⁠ 📚 Where's Waldo Scavenger Hunt (p/u cards at Betty's Bookshelf and the BIA chill-out zone tent)⁠ ⁠ Which part of the weekend are you most excited for?

🍎 Still wondering what to get your kiddo's teachers? Look no further!! Support our local businesses AND give them the gift of choice. ⁠ ⁠ Check out the list of fabulous businesses that accept St. Marys Money in our bio link. ⁠ ⁠ NEED OTHER IDEAS?⁠ - Chocolate from @chocolatefactory_stmaryslondon ⁠ - Grub gift certificate from @tuttco_stmarys @naina_k_kitchen_1.0 ⁠ - Coffee Beans from @snappingturtlecoffee ⁠ - Socks from @lyricfloraldesigns ⁠ - Plant from @theflowershopandmore ⁠ - Mug from @zenfirepottery ⁠ - Handmade Jewelry from @heatherringland ⁠ - Class Pass from @vitality.health.and.fitness ⁠ - Beach Traveller Mug from @samshomehardware ⁠ - Scarf from @ogradysclothing ⁠ - Nifty Local Gift Box from @stonehomecreatives ⁠ - Gifty Treasures from @carpevinumwine ⁠ - Cheese Basket from @tccheeseshoppe ⁠ - Summer Reading from @bettsybookshelf ⁠ - Wine from bottle shop at @the_flour_mill ⁠ - Cocktail Bomb from @the_wine_lab_st_marys ⁠ - Candle from @stonehomecreatives ⁠ - Napkins from @laurenwhitneylifestyles ⁠ - Savour & Sip Passes by @visitstratfordon - pick up at @stonehomecreatives ⁠ ⁠ These are only a few of the perfect teacher gifts you can find downtown. What did we miss? Where are you shopping?

🗓️ MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Stonetown Heritage Festival starts Friday, July 12! This free event celebrates the cultures, stories and histories that shape the past and present of St. Marys.⁠ ⁠ The festival features family-friendly activities, heritage tours, art, vendor and farmers’ market, live music and dance, and fireworks show.⁠ ⁠ Downtown you’ll experience a STREET FESTIVAL on Saturday, July 13, with store vendors, street performers and a kid zone. Find the Downtown BIA tent and participate in the Where’s Waldo Scavenger Hunt. ⁠ ⁠ Also find live music and dance in the evening, artist demonstrations and the free shuttle service back to your parked car at PRC.

🌟 Our partnerships are what make this town, and our downtown, so incredibly special. We can't wait for this year's Heritage Festival and are so delighted to be a part of it. ⁠ ⁠ A lovely REPOST from @townofstmarys ⁠ ➡️ The Downtown St.Marys BIA is preparing for an incredible Stonetown Heritage Festival ⭐️⁠ ⁠ The downtown shops, eateries, services and their business owners are what makes the downtown street festival so special on July 13!⁠ ⁠ The BIA want you to arrive at ease by sponsoring the air-conditioned accessible shuttle. Park at the Pyramid Recreation Centre (317 James St. S) and catch the shuttle to Town Hall or Milt Dunnell Field.⁠ ⁠ FREE horse & wagon rides will also be available at Milt Dunnell Field from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., thanks to this wonderful sponsorship⁠.

🌈 We love catching glimpses of welcoming stickers like these. Pride Month goes until the end of June, but we're proud downtown all year round. ⁠ ⁠ 📍 @thephysionook.ca

✨ SUMMER!! Summer Solstice! First day of Summer! Longest day of the year! We're looking forward to a fabulous summer for 2024.⁠ ⁠ Join us in welcoming summer today! How are you celebrating? ⁠ ⁠ 🛶 Tonight “Light Up the Night” Kayaking is hosting a FULL MOON PADDLE for Summer Solstice, starting at 9pm at The Flats. All you need is a floatation devise (kayaks, canoes, SUP boards etc), waterproof lights (most use fairy lights), and tape to apply them.⁠ 🦟 Vessels must have a life jacket and safety kit on board, and optional bug repellent is recommended. ⁠ ⁠ 🎤 Ladyless Lip Synch at The Legion starts at 7pm. (Come watch the mayor perform.)⁠ ⁠ 📸 @lucidmusingsphotography

June is National Indigenous History Month in Canada, a time to recognize the rich history, heritage, resilience and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis. On June 21, for National Indigenous Peoples Day, let's explore the history, languages, cultures, and experiences of Indigenous Peoples in Canada.⁠ ⁠ IMAGE DESCRIPTION: an eagle representing First Nations, a narwhal representing Inuit, and a violin representing Métis. These illustrations are placed around the sun and surrounded by multicoloured smoke that represents Indigenous traditions, spirituality, inclusion and diversity.⁠ ⁠ Join us in learning, sharing, and honouring the vibrant diversity of Indigenous cultures across Canada: https://ow.ly/bOtm50S7uNQ [LINK IN BIO]⁠ ⁠ #NIHM2024 #IndigenousHistoryMonth #NIPD2024

Looking for something a little fun this weekend? How about checking out the Destination Stratford Savour & Sip Trail! Seven businesses in St. Marys are on the trail. ⁠ ⁠ 🤩 PICTURED HERE: @The_Wine_Lab_St_Marys (one of the six downtown businesses on the Trail).⁠ ⁠ This self-guided tour introduces you to locally-made products in the area, which you may collect for a complete picnic experience (we suggest by the Falls). ⁠Each purchase entitles you to FIVE STOPS (or "redeems"). The cost for 5 vouchers is $39.55 (including HST) and can be purchased at @StoneHomeCreatives ⁠ ⁠ Purchase our vouchers Head to our BIO LINK for trail participants, map, trail offerings and hours.⁠

🎉 Where’s Waldo is Coming to Town! Get ready for a super fun, once-in-a-lifetime event in our downtown! 🤩⁠ ⁠ Since 2012, kids and adults in over 600 communities across North America have been on the hunt for Waldo in local bookstores and businesses. This year, we’ve been CHOSEN to host the FREE Where’s Waldo Shop Local Scavenger Hunt from July 1 to July 31, 2024! 🕵️‍♂️🔍⁠ ⁠ 🌟 How it Works:⁠ * Pick up your “Find Waldo Local in St. Marys” passport at @BettysBookshelf ⁠ * Visit participating downtown stores and find Waldo to get your passport stamped or signed⁠ * Collect stamps/signatures from 20 or more businesses to enter the grand prize draw for Waldo books and goodies⁠ ⁠ The adventure wraps up with a celebratory party at Betty’s Bookshelf after July 31, where we’ll hand out the grand prize. 🎉📚⁠ ⁠ ✨ ARE YOU A LOCAL BUSINESS? ✨ Want to join the fun? Betty’s Bookshelf needs 25 businesses to hide a small Waldo cutout from July 1-31. It’s FREE to participate, and you just need to sign up by Thursday to get listed in the passports.⁠ ⁠ To get involved, contact Jan at Betty’s in person, by phone, or email info@bettysbookshelf.com. Let’s make this July unforgettable! 🎈⁠ ⁠ #DowntownStMarys #WheresWaldo #ShopLocal ⁠