Events with a Purpose

The Daily Republic ran a nice article this morning by Staff Writer Ian Thompson on the expanded events calendar being planned for this spring and summer in the Suisun City Waterfront District.

Last week, we published along with our quarterly newsletter Discovery a pull-out calendar listing the more than 40 dates on which we will sponsor a free family-friendly event in the Waterfront District. No wonder Daily Republic readers recently voted the District as a top Solano County 'staycation' destination! >>Click here to see the full schedule.>>

What Ian's article didn't really touch on was why we put so much time and effort into our community events, and why we are really pushing hard to get more businesses and community organizations involved in the events this year.

All of these events are part of our marketing strategy to expose Suisun City residents and those living throughout the region to all the terrific activity going on in the Waterfront District. We want everyone from Napa to Davis and Danville to know about the unique hideaway we have in Suisun City, and the 12 terrific & unique family-owned restaurants in the Waterfront District alone. Our strategy is for visitors to come fall in love with what we have, come back with friends and family, and help us build the foot traffic necessary to make boutiques, shops and galleries successful in the Waterfront District.

Each of you telling people you know about our great City is a key part to the marketing approach. Subscribe to this News blog or become a fan of the City on Facebook to keep in touch with what's happening in town.

And, when you come to the Waterfront for a free concert or outdoor movie, make sure to check out Main Street Bar & Grill, Bellezza Hair Studio or Waterfront Comics.

Here's the first part of Ian's story:

Bigger is better in Suisun

By Ian Thompson | DAILY REPUBLIC | March 11, 2009 23:30

SUISUN CITY - A bigger, family-friendly kite festival, a new June event called Shore Fest and jet ski racing at night are among the expanded events this year on the city's waterfront.

There is even talk of importing sand to an empty lot near the Suisun Marina during the Shore Fest so the city can hold a beach volleyball contest. The synthetic ice rink was a hit last December, so the city is thinking beach volleyball in June could be one as well.

'We are focusing on kids and families to get them out to enjoy our waterfront,' said Mick Jessop, director of the city's Recreation and Community Services Department.

The Friday Nights at the Waterfront, Saturday Nights at the Movies and The Waterfront Jazz Series are coming back and will start in early July.

The Kids & Kites Festival on May 2 is being expanded to offer activities such as slides, rock walls and a trackless train.

'We are making everything center truly around the children,' said Anita Skinner of the city's Redevelopment Agency who organizes the events. 'We are trying to bring in kite clubs for demonstrations of different kinds of kites.'

To see the full article, visit www.dailyrepublic.com