‘Celebrate Downtown’ award nominees announced
Lethbridge’s “Heart of Our City” committee has more than 40 reasons to celebrate recent initiatives that make the downtown area more exciting.
This year, officials say 42 local organizations, events, businesses and individuals were nominated for its “Celebrate Downtown” awards.
Winners will be announced during an awards presentation event April 11.
“These outstanding individuals, businesses and organizations have been nominated for awards because they invested time, ideas and capital into our downtown to make it more beautiful, livable, exciting, vibrant, accessible and sustainable,” says Dawn Leite, a member of the Heart of Our City committee and co-chairperson of the Celebrate Downtown event.
Awards will be presented in seven categories.
The “Back in the Day Award” recognizes a nominee who has contributed to the preservation of downtown Lethbridge history. This year’s nominees: Levi Cox, Hunter Heggie, Mike Jensen, Jean Johnstone and Ted Stilson.
The “Champagne Award” recognizes a nominee who deserves a toast “for all they do as an incredible volunteer and champion for a vibrant downtown.” The nominees: Kate Connolly, Danielle Ford, Devon Hargreaves, Josee’s Hand Made Imports, Clara Piedalue and Ian Thompson along with the Random Acts of Kindness First Friday program (by Volunteer Lethbridge) and the Helen Schuler Nature Centre.
The “Hip Downtown Transformation Award” recognizes a nominee who is leading a transformation of downtown spaces, business, neighbourhoods, activities and/or events “that make Lethbridge’s downtown just that much cooler.” They are: Lane Anderson (London Road Media), Chad Brandt, Glen Fenimore (The Stoketown Café + Cure), Leigh Guerrine (Rocky Mountain Tattoo), Patricia Luu (Umami Shop) and Rocky Mountain Tattoo.
The “Running with the Bulls Award” recognizes a nominee who “takes on great risks and is not scared to challenge the status quo in working to create, maintain, support and/or promote an exciting downtown.” Nominees are: Club Didi, Community Futures - Lethbridge Region, Roy Pogorzelski (Oktoberfest YQL), Andrea Sandul (The Port Coworking Space) and Jay Whitehead (Club Didi).
The “Taking Care of Business Award” recognizes a nominee who is committed to taking care of the downtown community, including its streetscapes and spaces, to build a beautiful downtown — who “also recognizes those who are not scared to get their hands dirty to get it done and are often unsung heroes.” Nominated are: Action Fitness & Conditioning, Judi Dormaar, Melissa Johnson and the Southern Alberta Art Gallery.
The “From the Heart Award” recognizes a nominee “who is a social change agent who is creating an inclusive downtown and is involved in making downtown a welcome place for all.” The nominees: Levi Cox, the Downtown Lethbridge Business Revitalization Zone, Himalayas Enterprises (Gita Mishra), Miranda Hlady, Lethbridge Pride Fest Society, Kurtis Mueller (Jaded Body Arts), Loralee SandEdwards and the Streets Alive Mission.
The “Downtown Event of The Year Award” recognizes an event that contributed to creating a vibrant and inclusive downtown. This year’s nominees: Citizen Walk About (South Region Self Advocacy Network and Southern Alberta Individualized Planning Association); Downtown Farmers’ Market (Lethbridge & District Exhibition); Lethbridge Caribbean Carnival (CariBridge); the Local Immigration Partnership Newcomer Welcome Event (Lethbridge Family Services); Oktoberfest YQL 2017 (Roy Pogorzelski); Shakespeare in the Park (Lethbridge Shakespeare Performance Society); The Word On The Street Festival (Lethbridge Public Library); and the Whoop-Up Days Parade (Lethbridge & District Exhibition).
Award recipients will be announced April 11 at the Celebrate Downtown 2018 Event in Casa, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. There is no cost to attend, but space is limited to 200 so advance tickets will be available at