“Get Together Downtown” from July 13 to July 15 is an extravaganza for the whole family featuring local and international performers, buskers, carnival rides and skateboarding, crafters, food vendors, rappelling firefighters, horse-drawn carriages, fireworks and much more!

A concert stage will be erected at Portage and Main with the famous intersection hosting a free Saturday show featuring Tiller’s Folly, Colette Baron-Reid, Grupo Moncado, and Ismael Isaac.

On Sunday, the city kicks-off the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 2001 football season with a concert starring Celtic rockers Great Big Sea, along with The Nylons, Bowfire, and Lisa Brokop.

In addition to the evening concerts, throughout the weekend three stages (at Vaughan, Garry and Hargrave) will feature 30 hours of stellar local talent such as Sloan, the New Meanies, Papa Mambo, D Rangers, and Tequila Mockingbird, and highlight performers from Winnipeg’s incredible festivals such as Folklorama, The Fringe Festival and Oktoberfest.

“Winnipeggers have told us they want free, downtown concerts and we are listening,” said Mayor Glen Murray. “Portage Avenue is alive with energy and we are building on the momentum. We could not do this without the significant support of our corporate community, and the 800 volunteers who are willing to roll up their sleeves and pitch in. It proves once again that Winnipeg is a city like no other, blessed with community cooperation and spirit.”

Corporate partners are: Aboriginal People’s Television Network, Archangel Fireworks, Audio Works, CN, Canadian Waste, CBC Radio, CJOB/Power 97, Deschenes Regnier, Downtown BIZ, Eatons, Winnipeg Free Press, McKim Communications, Molson, MTS, Norwood Hotel, Pepsi, PharmaPlus, Portage Place, Prolific Group, Red River Exhibition, Scotia Bank, Taste of Manitoba, The Bay, Vital Signs, Winnipeg Enterprises Corporation.

“Portage Avenue is the main artery of Winnipeg, and Portage and Main is the heart,” said Doug Clark, Executive Director of the Downtown BIZ. “After 30 years, the Downtown BIZ is delighted to partner with the City, the Forks North Portage Partnership, businesses and the corporate sponsors to celebrate a new and revised Get Together Downtown.”

The anticipated budget for the three day “Get Together Downtown” Festival is $730,000. The City of Winnipeg is contributing $100,000 with the balance coming from the generosity of corporate sponsors and on-site revenues from the sale of food and beverages and merchandise.

Mayor Murray notes that throughout the summer, different charities are represented at the Spiritfest concerts. During “Get Together Downtown”, Save the Children reps will be collecting donations.