This year’s Heritage Week theme is Main Street: At the Heart of Your Community.
Every town and city has what they consider to be a “main street” that encompasses the history and growth of a community. More and more communities are revitalizing their heritage buildings to encourage business opportunities, increase tourism and create added rental space for people wanting to live in the downtown core.
In Mission, that main street is known as First Avenue.
There is currently a display at the Mission library on the history of First Avenue. Heritage Week runs until February 22.
Events taking place this weekend are:
• Meet Me on Main Street, a special exhibit featuring photographs dating from the early 1900s to the present that tell the fascinating history of First Avenue — a street that traverses the heart of what is known as Mission’s downtown. At the opening on Feb. 21 at 1 p.m., visitors will be transported back in time through a series of historical vignettes using a combination of live theatre and multimedia. Each vignette tells an intriguing story about First Avenue from the years 1918, 1929 and 1956.
• Picture Yourself on Mission’s Main Street, a special interactive exhibit featuring photographs of First Avenue. The event takes place Feb. 21 at 1:30 p.m. at the Mission Museum.