Friday, October 28, 2011

DNA Honored at Illinois Main Street Awards Dinner


GALESBURG, IL - On Wednesday, October 26, the Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin was honored with two Illinois Main Street awards for downtown revitalization from at the organization’s 2011 Awards Dinner at Soangetaha Country Club in Galesburg, Illinois.

Executive Director Tonya Hudson and members of the DNA Board of Directors and Staff accepted the Lt. Governor’s Award for Downtown Revitalization in the Outstanding Organization Project category for the DNA’s Downtown Brainstorm: an interactive planning workshop about downtown Elgin addressing a different topic of relevance to the community.

Promotions Coordinator Jason Pawlowski accepted the Lt. Governor’s Award for Downtown Revitalization in the Outstanding Promotion category for Downtown Madness – a social media promotion that pitted the signature drinks and dishes of downtown bars and eateries in a March Madness style bracket tournament where the public’s votes determined the winners of each match-up.

The Awards Dinner capped off three days of workshops, seminars and networking opportunities at the 2011 Illinois Main Street Conference in Galesburg, in which over 40 different Illinois Main Street communities from across the state participated.

As part of the conference, Hudson and Pawlowski also presented an educational workshop about social media strategy for Main Street organizations entitled “Social Media on Main Street”.

Monday, October 24, 2011

Halloween Day-Night Double Header in Downtown Elgin


Downtown Elgin is THE place to be this Halloween Weekend!

On Saturday, October 29 from 10AM-4PM, the DNA once again presents Elgin's Halloween Howl - Presented by Alexian Brothers Health System & Ken Stepps State Farm - a family-friendly afternoon of frightfully fun festivities in downtown Elgin.

Schedule of Events:

10AM-1PM - Sherman Health's Halloween Family Fun Fair at The Centre of Elgin, 100 Symphony Way, featuring family-friendly activities and a kids costume contest

Noon-4PM - Trick or Treating at downtown Elgin businesses

1-3PM - Elgin Public Museum's Bone Hunt - a fun Halloween archeological dig on the grass in front of The Hemmens, 45 Symphony Way

1-3PM - Midwest Dance Collective Teaching the Thriller Dance - under the direction of Ellen Werksman MDC will be teaching kids the Michael Jackson Thriller Dance on the Nightmare on Chicago Street stage at Chicago & Douglas

1-4PM - Kids Costume Photo Booth at Ken Stepps' State Farm, 111 Douglas Avenue - get your kids photos taken in their Halloween finest

1-4PM - Psychosis Haunted House, 200 N. Spring Street, matinee, "kid-friendly" haunted house

2-3PM - Halloween Crafts & Music Activities in the basement of The Hemmens, presented by U-46

3:30PM - Elgin Symphony Orchestra's Spooktacular Concert at The Hemmens. Come in costume to hear some "boo"-tiful music. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for kids and available in person at the box office on the day of the concert or purchase tickets in advance at http://www.ElginSymphony.org

For a complete list of participating businesses in the Howl's Trick-or-Treating and a comprehensive schedule of Halloween weekend events in downtown Elgin, click here!

THEN...

NEWSFLASH! The Zombies have taken over and Elgin is the last line of defense! Join the Zombie Defense Initiative on from 6-11PM as the City of Elgin presents Nightmare on Chicago Street.

Chicago Street (between Douglas and Villa) will be closed for a Halloween music festival, with local bands, theater performances, a zombie walk, live burlesque show, a visit from Svengoolie and Victoria Price, granddaughter of legendary horror actor Vincent Price, a costume contest and specials from downtown businesses.

Admission is $7 at the gate with $5 discounted advanced tickets available at the DNA Office, 2 Douglas Avenue. Children under the age of 17 must be accompanied by an adult (age 21+).

6-7:30PM - Kashmir (Led Zeppelin tribute band)

8-9PM, 9:30-10:30PM - ARRA (classic rock tribute band)

9-9:30PM - Costume Contest with Svengoolie

9:30-11PM - Meet and Greet with Svengoolie

10:40-11PM - Burlesque Show by Dancewerks Dance Productions

For more information on the City of Elgin's Nightmare on Chicago Street event, visit http://www.NightmareonChicagoStreet.com