Successful Women Inspiring Forward Thinking (SWIFT) has decided to return to an old tradition.
“Quite a few years back, there used to be a day, it was just called Merchants’ Day, and the street was always closed, and it was a fun atmosphere for businesses,” says Ann Langille, owner of the Moss Pot and member of SWIFT.
“We just thought, why not revisit that.”
Coinciding with the first day of Privateer Days, Main Street will be closed to cars from Old Bridge Street to Market Street for Family Fun Day from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on June 29.
Langille says there are a lot of new merchants on the street, and the group of business women thought it would be good to bring some focus back to the main street.
“What can we do that will make something happen right now that will be great for our local residents and encourage people to shop locally?” says Langille.
Those are the questions SWIFT asked when the group began to meet regularly.
Some of the things set to happen Friday include a pancake breakfast, skateboarding on Jubilee Street, face painting, chalk art and a frog-jumping contest.
“You bring your own frog, and it’s going to be a race,” says Langille.
Race participants have to encourage their frogs to stay on track and get to the finish line without touching them, says Langille. It’s fun, she adds.
Langille says it’s been great because all the businesses are trying to plan something to add to the event.
“We just want to make it a fun, family oriented day,” she says.
