The second annual Downtown in the City Extravaganza (DTICE) is sure to be a positive experience.
The event, slated to take place the evening of Sept. 15 throughout downtown Chatham, coincides with the second annual C-K Positivity Day, which culminates with video showcase in the Chatham Capitol Theatre at 6 p.m. Capt. Positive and Opti-Woman will be at the theatre from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
DTICE takes place between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. and will feature a cornucopia of fashion and activity demonstrations, according to the Historic Downtown Chatham BIA’s Connie Beneteau.
There will be a parade of fashions beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Downtown Chatham Centre. Last year, organizers had three different shows, with the first starting at 5 p.m., in different parts of the downtown. That first performance may have been a bit too early, organizers say, as it didn’t give visitors a chance to get to the downtown following their own workdays.
Where else but downtown Chatham would you have fashion and chainsaws? Robbin Wenzosk of Robbin’s Amazing Art from Muirkirk will hold a wood carving demonstration between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. on King Street West.
There will be presentations and demonstrations from a slew of other groups, from martial arts organizations to Theatre Kent.
Musical entertainment will pop up at different spots in the downtown as well.
Beneteau said Fourth Street between King and Wellington streets will be closed off to allow for a Parisian-themed cafe supported by businesses in that part of the downtown.
“All the stores are doing something special,” Beneteau said of participating merchants. “We’re hoping to keep the streets full.”
Paul Shettel, co-chair of the BIA, and owner of the Downtown Deli, said he’s looking forward to the event.
“It’s going to be a fun, crazy night,” he said.
While folks coming downtown to enjoy the evening will have a diversity of entertainment and culinary delights to choose from, Beneteau said it’s also a chance for the business owners to strut their stuff.
“This is an event for the merchants,” she said.
There are passports for the event, available from the BIA and in the Sept. 14 Chatham Voice. Get your passport stamped by participating businesses and enter for a chance to win a $100 gift certificate.
