Join Us This Saturday at the Downtown Paris Promenade

The County of Brant invites residents and visitors to visit the Downtown Paris Promenade this weekend for a day of history, shopping and community celebration.

The Promenade, located on Grand River Street North, is a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly gathering space where residents and visitors can shop, dine and enjoy free community programming throughout the summer.

"We are thrilled to have the Downtown Paris Promenade open for the summer season," said Zach Gable, Director of Economic Development and Tourism for the County of Brant. "From live entertainment and markets to community celebrations, the Promenade offers something for everyone while creating new opportunities to experience and support our vibrant downtown."

This Saturday, July 11, the Promenade will come alive with two exciting events celebrating local history and community.

The County of Brant, in partnership with the Paris Museum, Bell Homestead National Historic Site and the Brant Museum & Archives, invites residents and visitors to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the world's first true long-distance telephone call during a special Historic Places Days event.

From 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, visitors can step back in time and explore one of the most significant moments in communications history through:

• Historical exhibits and displays
• Guided tours presented by the Paris Museum
• Stories from the site of one of the most important moments in telecommunications history

On August 10, 1876, Alexander Graham Bell placed the world's first true long-distance telephone call between Brantford and Paris. Bell used telegraph lines to make the call from Brantford to Robert White's Boot and Shoe Store in downtown Paris. While the communities were approximately 13 kilometres apart, the signal travelled an additional 93 kilometres through Toronto, where stronger telegraph batteries helped boost the connection.

The event is part of Historic Places Days, a national initiative that encourages people to celebrate the places and stories that matter most to their communities. This year's theme, Communication Through Place and Time, recognizes the 150th anniversary of the first long-distance telephone call between Brantford and Paris—an innovation that transformed communication and forever changed how people connect across distance and time.

Adding to the excitement, the Downtown Paris Promenade will be buzzing with activity as The Rustic Palm hosts the Paris Street Market from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Featuring more than 50 local vendors, the market is the perfect place to shop unique handmade goods, discover local businesses and artisans, enjoy delicious food from our downtown restaurants, and soak up the vibrant atmosphere of downtown Paris.

Whether you're exploring local history, shopping the market or simply enjoying the Promenade, there's something for everyone. Admission to both events is free, and everyone is welcome to attend.

To learn more about the Paris Promenade and view the full lineup of summer events, visit www.brant.ca/ParisPromenade.