Love Kingston Marketplace launches for 2021 season

The City of Kingston and its partners, Tourism Kingston and the Downtown Kingston! Business Improvement Area (BIA), have announced the official launch of Love Kingston Marketplace (LKM) 2021 this spring.

The reimagined LKM 2021 has expanded on last year’s plan to support local downtown businesses and hopes to hold outdoor events and programming when public health measures allow.

“This effort is all about supporting our hard-hit businesses and restaurants through the pandemic by creating more outdoor space for them to operate, and by providing a safe and enhanced destination for residents and visitors to enjoy during this time of physical distancing,” said Mayor Bryan Paterson.

LKM 2021 will make it easier for the public to support local businesses and shop safely in Kingston, and, at the same time, offer a series of outdoor activities and programs for all to enjoy, the City said in a release dated Monday, May 17, 2021. All initiatives will respect the required and up-to-date health and safety measures established by Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington Public Health.

“This initiative has created unique programs that local businesses can participate in as a means of diversifying the channels used to sell their products and services, which in turn will support our tourism, hospitality, and culture sectors by activating and animating the downtown core,” said Megan Knott, Executive Director of Tourism Kingston.

The City said the expanded pedestrian spaces will improve access to all the downtown has to offer – including dining, shopping, moving, playing, and engaging outdoors – while making it easier for people to maintain physical distancing.

“Having enjoyed Love Kingston Marketplace as a visitor last summer, I am encouraged by this year’s plans to build on the strengths of the initiative,” said Marijo Cuerrier, incoming Executive Director of the Downtown Kingston! BIA. “Extended events like LKM are one of the positive side effects of COVID, and it is clear that the collaborative efforts of all involved have only enhanced and improved what will hopefully become a signature summer event in years to come.”

Subject to COVID-19 restrictions and precautions, the City, Tourism Kingston, and Downtown Kingston! invite the public to enjoy LKM 2021 through November, which includes the initiatives outlined below.

In Springer Market Square:

• Additional outdoor dining and seating
• Live musical performances
• Kids’ Corner – including arts programming; Storytime hosted by Kingston Frontenac Public Library; Hilltop History: Tales with the Fort Henry Guard; selfie walls; and ‘chalk art’ decals for posing
  • Kids’ Corner is sponsored by Utilities Kingston
• Indigenous programming
• Movement in the Market (physically distanced wellness and fitness classes)
• Night Market
• Vending stalls for local businesses to sell their wares
• Licensed areas (during designated dates/times)

On Downtown Streets:

• Paved Paradise art exhibit (on Brock Street near Ontario Street)
• Expanded patios and retail space
• Temporary road closures to accommodate special programming, such as:
  • Market Street – closed to traffic
  • Sydenham Street – closed from Princess to Queen during select Saturdays
  • Ontario Street – closed between Johnson and Clarence on four weekends between June and September
  • Princess Street – closed from Division to Ontario on four Saturdays between June and September

Beyond Downtown:

• An Arts Walk, a self-guided walking tour to highlight Kingston’s public art along the waterfront from Douglas Fluhrer Park to Lake Ontario Park, as well as downtown

Learn more about LKM 2021 programming and register for specific events as they become available by visiting www.CityofKingston.ca/Marketplace.