May 20, 2010
Expanded art show venue to include street closures in downtown Ritzville
The Ritzville Downtown Development Association has spent four years working to develop an event that has the ability to bring many new visitors to Ritzville and the historic downtown business district.
This year the Historic Ritzville Days Western Art Show Executive Committee will present 60 of the Pacific Northwest’s best artists, artisans and authors as well as national caliber entertainment, educational activities for children, a street dance Saturday night and entertaining demonstrations including forge welding.
The Historic Ritzville Days Western Art Show, set for Memorial Day weekend, May 28-30, remains free to the general public.
In an effort to draw more visitors to the downtown business district during the show, the show features an expanded venue.
The south side of Main Avenue from Adams Street to Division Street will be closed to vehicle traffic and parking Saturday and Sunday of the show.
There will be straw bales at both ends of Main Avenue indicating the closure as well as bales lining the centerline of Main Avenue between Adams and Division.
The Ritzville City Council approved the closure and placement of straw bales at meetings earlier this year.
With a growing number of activities, artists and demonstration artists who require a significant amount of space for their displays and additional entertainment, the show needed more room.
Access to all businesses will be easy, and the diagonal parking on the north side on Main Avenue will still be available.
The venue will once again include the following street closures:
• Washington Street, between Main and Railroad Avenues, Friday morning
• Washington Street, between Main Avenue and the alley by the U.S. Postal Service, Saturday 7 a.m.
• Railroad Avenue, between Division and Adams Streets, Saturday 7 a.m.
“The RDDA’s Board of Directors feels that it’s important that Ritzville’s merchants are well aware of the event’s scheduled activities and our wide reaching efforts to promote the city and the event.
“We want as many of you as possible to benefit from this endeavor,” according to a letter recently sent to area merchants.
