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The Canadian Champion, Friday, May 12, 2006 - Bi kcý ~Arts festival to hit' k ~ *the streetiJunelO0 GRAHAM PAINE / CANADIAN CHAMPION GREAT FAMILY FUN: At top, Donna Jagoe and four-year old daughter Sarah enjoy Sunday's TVO Kids 'Don't Sit St~iI Tour' at Milton Memnorial Arena. Above, tour personalities Jackie English and Mark Sykes entertain the crowd by tossing around a beach bail. The tour is designed to get youngsters Up and active. Plenty of entextainment plannedforfree event By Stephanie Thiessen CANADIAN CHAMPION STAFF Next monîfi, downtown Milton wîll fie transformned mbt a pedestî-ians-only hufi of activity as artisans, performers and local flusinesses take to the streets for a day- long celefiration of the arts. The Arts Milton Festival wîll take place June 10, presented by Arts Milton and the Downtown Business Improvemrent Area (DBIA). On a hopefully sunny, spring day, Main Street will fie closed to traffic and lined with artists of ail sorts showcasing their talents. At the samne time, roving performers - mayfie a fiusker, car- icature artist and magician or two --- will aim t0 impress wvith their unique aflilities. AIl of that is in addition to dancers, musicians - with styles ranging from folk to country te, rock - and actors who'll take 10 one of four stages, providing constant cnterîaînmcnt. Best of ail, everything wîll fie free. Local husinesses mail also fie pulling out ail the stops, with sîdewalk sales and more. "The DBIA fias ficen afisolutely lantastîc, and we're thrilled îo have that relaîionship with them now," said Greg Nelson, presideni of Arts Milton. He saîd the event was inspired fiy places lîke Qucfiec and Europe that have foot traffic-onlv arcas wherc performers and artîsîs gathcr. 'Creating coinmuniiy wih the arts" is the slogant for the fcstival. "It's going io bc a ssoiidcrlul cvcni,- saîd J acquelyn Garrard, DBIA co-ordinator, addîng it'îl fie a good way for new residents to fiecome fietter acquaînted with the downtown core and Miltons art community The festival will start ai Victoria Park in front of Town Hall at 10 a.m. where thereill fie displays set up hy memfiers of the Fine Arts Society of Milton and poetry rcadîng itn the gazcho. Tint Hortons, the newesi corporate sponsor of Arts Milton, will have two kids' fun zones set up. and will fie selling coffec and doughnuîs. Ai 2 p.m., after the Farniers' Markct shuts down, the festival wîll change gcars - and loca- tions. An openîng ccremony wîîh Mayor Gord Kran.z will take place ai Main and Martin sîrecîs, "(Residents) are going to be hard pressed to decîde what to go and see." followed by a concert with folk music group Silver Birch. From 2 t0 8 p.m. ,the street will be alive with the arts. At 2:15 p.m., former world champion figure skater and martial artist Elvis Stojko, will per- form the traditional Chinese lion dance. And Waldies Blacksmith Shop on James Street will be open, so [amuies can drop by and take a look. Also, a kids' art experience centre will fie set up in front of St. Paul's United Church. "1(Residents) are going to fie hard pressed to decide what to go and sc," Nelson said. At dinnertime, arca bars and restaurants will feature music acts and Si. Paul's United Church will fie holding a steak and lobsier dinner. Not to fie ouîdone, participating businesses have lots of ideas up their siceves, Garrard said. 101î fie a real surprisc to see what they do," shte said. Organizcrs arc stili lookîng for people to set up displays along 'artisans way' Painters, sculp- tors, jcwellers and othcr artists are heing sought. "Ail art is wclcomc. Its a wonderful opportu- nity t0 showcase your abilitics, howcvcr greai they mav fie,' Garrard said. "Its nice to have an eclectie ledi." Nelson addcd the opportunit>' will give artists a chancc to gain cxposure and rnayfic even selI some of iheir work. The cost of seîîing up a fiooth is $75 for any- one whos not a memher of Arts Milton or the DBIA. Pre-registration is required. Organizers are also looking for roving per- formers of ail sorts. And hîgh school students Iooking t0 comn- pîcte their required comrnuniîv serice fours are wclcorne te, volunicer. For more information or to download a regis- tration form, vîsit wwwdownitownmilton.com or caîl Garrard ai (905) 876-2773. Stephanie Thiessen cati bc reached ai sihiessen@Camiltoticanadianchampioi.com. DROP BY AND PICK UP A... \ FRE II K I4 PAG OUDO LIVI DE IGNGUD CA BILDI IRDM20 2082 QUEENSWÀY DRIVE, Eaus of Brant, south off Plions Rd. (905) 634-7707 MON -FRi 7AM-ÔPM /". SAI8NwM5PM ARTS