Release Date: May 3, 2016
Play the Plaza debuts in Downtown Longmont Creative District
Play the Plaza Kicks Off Summer Fun in Downtown Longmont
For Immediate Release: May 3, 2016
Longmont, Colorado -- Starting May 13, the Downtown Longmont Creative District will become an interactive place to play. Created by local meet up group Light On Creatives, the St. Stephen’s Plaza pocket park (located next to the historic St. Stephen’s Church at the southeast corner of Main and 5th Avenue) transforms into an interactive wonderland called Play the Plaza.
Adults and children alike will love the challenge of using spinners along the colored sidewalk to meander through the park on Candy Lane. On the path they will encounter Sweet Tooth Lake, Peppermint Stick Forest, Gumdrop City, Gingerbread Land, Wonderland Swamp, Gumball Jungle and Home Sweet Home.
Along the way games cover seven tabletops, inspired by Checkers, Bingo, Mancala, Mastermind, Chinese Checkers, Word Search and Mazes, as well as freestanding games like Tic-Tac-Toe.
“Taking a cue from children at a playground, the Downtown Longmont Creative District will become a pop up playground where everyone can bring old friends or make new ones,” said Kimberlee McKee, Executive Director of the Downtown Longmont Creative District. “We wanted to establish a fun, engaging way that residents and visitors can spend time in Downtown Longmont any day of the week between May – September. We are so impressed with the work of Light On Creatives, the inspiring group that had the vision, talent and artistic ability to create Play the Plaza.
"When Kimberlee approached our Meetup about the opportunity to transform the plaza into an interactive space inspired by CandyLand, we got uber excited,” said Alicia Beeson, Founder of Light On and owner of Xseed Design & Production. "It was like a fire lit inside everyone and we immediately wanted to get involved. It was the perfect opportunity to get creative and do something fun for our community. And that’s what Light On is really all about - we're creatives for community!"
Light On - Creatives for Community is a Meetup for Longmont creative professionals and artists who need an opportunity to recharge their creativity and to move beyond the frustration of day-to-day business through networking, sharing ideas and collaborating on creative projects for both the community and their businesses.
Games and play will also transfuse other parts of Downtown Longmont. Breezeways on the east side of Downtown will each have its own set of games inspired by games like Twister, hopscotch, crazy feet and Chutes and Ladders. All graphics were generously printed and donated by Circle Graphics, located in Longmont. Circle Graphics is the world’s foremost producer of grand and large-format digital graphics. They are an industry leader in creating innovative products for outdoor advertising, business signage, wall decor, art reproduction, and the professional photography and art communities.
The plaza will debut during the May 13, 2nd Friday celebration, Music, Art & Youth. Enjoy St. Vrain Valley School District art displays and music performances in Downtown Longmont from 6-9 p.m. Gallery openings, promotions and activities will also take place throughout the Downtown District.
May is also St. Vrain Valley School District appreciation month with specials offered by participating Downtown businesses.
MUSIC PERFORMANCES
Alpine Elementary School
Acrinda
Erie Elementary School
Moffit School of Irish Dance
Take Note Sigers - Music Teachers
Timberline School
West View Middle School - Choir
West View Middle School - Orchestra
West View Middle School - Teacher and band members
ART DISPLAYS
Alpine Elementary
Altona Middle
APEX
Burlington Elementary
Central Elementary
Columbine Elementary
Eagle Crest Elementary
Erie Middle & High Schools
Fall River Elementary
Flagstaff Academy
Frederick High
Longmont High
Longs Peak Middle
Lyons Middle & High Schools
Mead High
Niwot Elementary & High
Northridge Elementary
Prairie Ridge Elementary
Red Hawk Elementary
Rocky Mountain Elementary
Sanborn Elementary
Silver Creek High
Skyline High
Sunset Middle
Trail Ridge Elementary
Westview Middle
The public will be invited to work with Light On and the Downtown Longmont Creative District during ArtWalk on May 21 to play, paint rocks and add to the wonderland of the plaza. Play the Plaza will be active from May – September.
Games and play will be the foundation of the newly expanded two-day Festival on Main August 26 and 27. Watch for announcements as the festival will feature a pop-up playground throughout Downtown inspired by creativity and innovation, ending with feats of creativity.
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