They are set for a banner summer downtown

Members of the DIA pose with a sample banner Wednesday morning as they officially kicked off the Gateway Banner Festival.

On Wednesday morning members of the DIA Committee officially launched an exciting new project that is sure to make it a banner summer season Downtown.

Gateway Banner Festival Co-Chairs Nikoline Calcaterra and Michelle Trudeau unveiled details for the festival and this year’s theme “Memories of Nipissing”.

Calcaterra says not only will the banners tell a story of the areas history, but it will add life and colour to Main Street. She says the event will also further connect the heart of the city with residents.

Calcaterra adds that they are not just appealing to artistic community for submissions, the committee want a good cross section from the community. She says everyone 12 years of age and over are invited to enter a banner design for the festival and for young children she encourages moms and dads to submit and idea that can be a family project.



The successful design submissions will then be painted by the designers and will hang in North Bay's downtown city streets from May to October 2011 followed by a gala event that will see the banners auctioned off.

Deadline for submissions is April 8th.

Submission forms and template card can be picked up from the DIA office located at 133 Main St. W., Suite 101 (in the Walkway) or download a from at http://www.downtownnorthbay.com.