By Mark Spencley
More details have been announced as the City of Cheboygan will host a Grand Opening Celebration for Festival Square, the new downtown open air pavilion, on Sunday, Sept. 16 at 2 – 4 p.m.
“Festival Square will give the community a place to hold many outdoor activities, including a farmers market, outdoor performances, concerts, festivals throughout the entire year,” says Dale Stuart, the City Manager and the director of the Downtown Development Authority. “The added traffic which these activities will generate should attract more shoppers and users into the downtown area.”
The former F. W. Woolworth building had been unoccupied since the early 1990s and was consistently on the top of the Downtown development Authority plan. Considered an economic blight and an eyesore for the community, the DDA purchased the building and began working with the City to develop a plan to demolish the building and construct an outdoor events pavilion on the site. The City received a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), which was used to fund the demolition of the blighted building.
In May 2011, the former F.W. Woolworth building was demolished to clear the way for the events pavilion, otherwise known as Festival Square. Construction on Festival Square took place this summer and recently was completed.
“This day is a long time coming,” stated Mayor Richard Sangster.
Attendees on Sunday will have much to do during Festival Square’s celebration, explains Kirsten Guenther, Downtown Enhancement Administrator.
“The ribbon cutting ceremony and dedication will take place from 2-2:30 p.m. with City Manager, Dale Stuart serving as Master of Ceremonies,” she stated. “Immediately following the ceremony, there will be a walking taco bar provided by VitalCare Hospice of the Straits, music by the Cheboygan Brewhouse Band, face-painting courtesy of the Creation Station; we will even have a bounce house for the kids. This event has something for everyone!”
Mamie Doyle, a graduate of Cheboygan High School, has opened a bakery “Miss Mamie’s Cupcakes, Cakes & Such” in Marietta, Ga.
“In May, Miss Mamie not only appeared on the hit Food Network show, ‘Cupcake Wars’ she won the competition,” says Guenther. “Mamie’s family lives in Cheboygan and she comes home often. Because of her ties to the community and her love for her hometown, Mamie wanted to take part in this event to celebrate with the many people who supported her while appearing on Cupcake Wars.”
“I can’t wait to share my cupcakes with all the folks in Cheboygan,” says Doyle. “I’m honored to be part of such a great event and to have another reason to come home for a bit!”
Mamie will create six varieties of cupcakes with one flavor using a popular local ingredient from the Cheboygan Brewing Company.
“I have a cupcake that I create in my bakery that uses Guinness beer,” says Doyle. “For this special event, I will replace the Guinness beer with a local brew from the Cheboygan Brewing Company.”
Other flavors available include: strawberry, coconut lemon, sweet potato, smores, and German chocolate. Cupcakes will be sold for $3 each. If you would like to reserve a dozen cupcakes, contact Betsy Doyle at 231-420-9447.
For more information on the Celebration, contact the downtown enhancement administrator’s office at 231-627-9931.
“Festival Square will give the community a place to hold many outdoor activities, including a farmers market, outdoor performances, concerts, festivals throughout the entire year,” says Dale Stuart, the City Manager and the director of the Downtown Development Authority. “The added traffic which these activities will generate should attract more shoppers and users into the downtown area.”
The former F. W. Woolworth building had been unoccupied since the early 1990s and was consistently on the top of the Downtown development Authority plan. Considered an economic blight and an eyesore for the community, the DDA purchased the building and began working with the City to develop a plan to demolish the building and construct an outdoor events pavilion on the site. The City received a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), which was used to fund the demolition of the blighted building.
In May 2011, the former F.W. Woolworth building was demolished to clear the way for the events pavilion, otherwise known as Festival Square. Construction on Festival Square took place this summer and recently was completed.
“This day is a long time coming,” stated Mayor Richard Sangster.
Attendees on Sunday will have much to do during Festival Square’s celebration, explains Kirsten Guenther, Downtown Enhancement Administrator.
“The ribbon cutting ceremony and dedication will take place from 2-2:30 p.m. with City Manager, Dale Stuart serving as Master of Ceremonies,” she stated. “Immediately following the ceremony, there will be a walking taco bar provided by VitalCare Hospice of the Straits, music by the Cheboygan Brewhouse Band, face-painting courtesy of the Creation Station; we will even have a bounce house for the kids. This event has something for everyone!”
Mamie Doyle, a graduate of Cheboygan High School, has opened a bakery “Miss Mamie’s Cupcakes, Cakes & Such” in Marietta, Ga.
“In May, Miss Mamie not only appeared on the hit Food Network show, ‘Cupcake Wars’ she won the competition,” says Guenther. “Mamie’s family lives in Cheboygan and she comes home often. Because of her ties to the community and her love for her hometown, Mamie wanted to take part in this event to celebrate with the many people who supported her while appearing on Cupcake Wars.”
“I can’t wait to share my cupcakes with all the folks in Cheboygan,” says Doyle. “I’m honored to be part of such a great event and to have another reason to come home for a bit!”
Mamie will create six varieties of cupcakes with one flavor using a popular local ingredient from the Cheboygan Brewing Company.
“I have a cupcake that I create in my bakery that uses Guinness beer,” says Doyle. “For this special event, I will replace the Guinness beer with a local brew from the Cheboygan Brewing Company.”
Other flavors available include: strawberry, coconut lemon, sweet potato, smores, and German chocolate. Cupcakes will be sold for $3 each. If you would like to reserve a dozen cupcakes, contact Betsy Doyle at 231-420-9447.
For more information on the Celebration, contact the downtown enhancement administrator’s office at 231-627-9931.
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