Excitement is building as a weekly evening of culture and fun in the Downtown officially opens Thursday, May 31s , from 4-8 pm, at the Court Yard Bizarre BAZAAR. Thursday night is definitely the night to come Downtown for shopping, dining, culture and adventure.

The Bizarre Bazaar is a unique cultural event being held in a truly fabulous heritage building. The theme of the event is inspired by the English “castle look” architecture of the Old Courthouse and seeks to replicate the bustling marketplaces that once existed in the castle courtyards and ancient walled cities of the English medieval era, with vendors selling all manner of food and goods, and entertainers charming and enthralling captivated onlookers with their magic and tales. Discover the latest creations of selected local artists and artisans inside and outside of the Old Courthouse. Indoors the Community Arts Council is showing work from over 17 member artists, local Potters will display everything from soup bowls to sculpture, and guest artists Myrna Geisbrecht and Debbie Milner will display some recent works. Outside we have a wide assortment of booths including stained glass, painting, weaving, jewellery, pottery and some taste treats such as biscotti and wild mushroom products for the discerning shopper.

Bazaar Entertainment includes:
•4-6:00pm acoustic guitar duo - Jon Treichel and Kelly Spencer
Also performing throughout the evening:
•Raiden Taiko Japanese Drum Performance
•Sangoma Pauline de la Roode - Roots of Rhythm Dance
•Members of the Desert Sounds Chorus
•Ongoing - on the spot artwork by Clark Park: Watch for his caricatures of our very own city politicians or have one done of you and your family.

“From these festive celebrations, the Knights would venture out into the Kingdom in search of adventure and treasures – a Quest indeed.”

This brings us to the Downtown Quest Card; it is your chance to discover culture, fun, food and treasures in your own adventure. Downtown will be divided into six mini kingdoms; customers will collect stamps on the Quest Card from merchants in the different kingdoms. Once three stamps have been collected, customers can enter to win prizes that will be drawn every week. Stamps can be collected over the course of multiple Thursdays – incentive to return for another adventure. Draw barrels will be at the Plaza Hotel and the Bizarre Bazaar at the Courthouse. There is live entertainment with Mr. “M” (Gary Mockford) performing on Victoria Street from 5-7 pm and prime shopping stores open until 7pm for evening business. It is a great time to dine out at one of our many fine eateries, enjoy some shopping and a stroll through our beautiful Downtown centre. A Downtown walking tour map and brochure is available at hotels and stores.

Quest Prizes for this week:
•Four tickets to the World Famous Lipizzaner Stallions. Interior Savings Centre, Kamloops, BC Wed, Jul 4, 2007 07:30 PM
•A piece of pottery from one of the Courthouse Potters
•A Gift Certificate from Frou Frou Monkey.
Opening night is just the beginning; the Downtown Quest with the weekly Bizarre Bazaar is an ongoing summer event that will create a great buzz in the city and make the Downtown everyone’s destination of choice for Thursday nights. It is a grand adventure; The Thursday Nite Quest for Culture and Fun – Downtown Kamloops…we have it all!

Contacts:
Lorel Sternig, Coordinator – Bizarre BAZAAR
Ph: (250) 578-0242 Email: clayworkx@telus.net
Gay Pooler, Coordinator – Downtown QUEST
Ph: 372-3242< Email: gpooler@kcbia.com