Greetings West Bank Businesses!
The Light Rail opening event is going to be here before you know it – and we’ve got some great ways for you to get involved. Please read below to see how you can participate in the opening festivities.
The main event will be on June 14, 2014 held in the Lot B (1817 3rd St S) and this will be a “reception style” lot – where we’ll be welcoming folks to the West Bank from the light rail and directing them outwards into the district – to visit all your awesome businesses! There will be a community stage, a general information booth, a “Taste of the West Bank” food booth and a mini nonprofit expo. We’re also partnering with the Red Cross to have a bloodmobile on site collecting donations that day (so we’ll be celebrating and saving lives. 🙂 )
There will be an expected 100,000-250,000 riders on the light rail during opening day – and an anticipated 15,000+ guests to the West Bank area (likely more.) Light Rail, bus, and train transit will be free ALL WEEKEND LONG.
Ways for Restaurants to Participate:
We will be hosting a “A Taste of the West Bank” booth with a sampling from West Bank restaurants and caterers. All West Bank businesses and caterers are welcome to participate.
Please fill out the application form by clicking here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1kU8oGl_Pu0LTcQfEpwZx03bGr2xggx5k8UGwM3JmNlw/viewform?usp=send_form
Applications are due by May 15th. Your application will be reviewed by the planning panel and a response will be sent to you no later than May 30th.
Ways for Venues to participate
West Bank venues and performing arts groups are eligible for 20-40 minutes of programming on the community stage. We do have a budget for performances with a suggested range of $100-$500 per group. A curatorial panel will review all submissions to try to get a broad representation from the community that fits within our overall budget. If you are interested in participation, please fill out the following submission form.
Please fill out the application form by clicking here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1kU8oGl_Pu0LTcQfEpwZx03bGr2xggx5k8UGwM3JmNlw/viewform?usp=send_form
Your submission will be reviewed by the curatorial panel and a response will be sent to you no later than May 30th. The deadline for submissions is May 15th.
Ways for anybody to participate
Host an event, tour, or special deal at your business the weekend of the light rail opening. We’ll be creating a handout for guests with this information. You can submit your information for inclusion quickly here or by emailing info@thewestbank.org with a 50-word-or-less summary of your event and your website. (And sorry – but with 100+ businesses to include, we’re strictly capping this word count.)
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1kU8oGl_Pu0LTcQfEpwZx03bGr2xggx5k8UGwM3JmNlw/viewform?usp=send_form
Nonprofit Expo
Local Nonprofits will have space available at the main event celebration – feel free to send brochures, literature, or have staff on hand to answer questions about your area nonprofit. If you’re going to participate, simply email: info@thewestbank.org with your nonprofit name, contact person, their email and phone number.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1kU8oGl_Pu0LTcQfEpwZx03bGr2xggx5k8UGwM3JmNlw/viewform?usp=send_form
“I need help!”
Do you need help with any of the above information, or want somebody to walk you through participation and planning for the rail? Just contact us at 612-232-8207 or info@thewestbank.org and we’d be happy to help!
Participate in a Scavenger Hunt / Donate a raffle item
To encourage traffic to West Bank businesses, we’ll be creating a scavenger hunt for guests and will be giving prizes. Would you like to be featured on the scavenger hunt or would you like to donate a prize? If so – email: info@thewestbank.org
In summary:
- All businesses will be featured on the area map and can donate a prize or be featured as a stop to the scavenger hunt,
- Nonprofits can send along information and/or a representative to staff a nonprofit booth,
- Venues and artist groups can submit performance ideas for the community stage,
- And restaurants can participate in the “Taste of the West Bank” restaurant booth.
And last but not least – we’re planning a Sambusa competition! More info on THAT part to come.
We hope you’ll join us for what we’re sure is going to be an amazing celebration!
Yours,
Jamie
