The main thoroughfare into Ladysmith’s historic downtown is among four streets vying for a Great Places in Canada award.
The national contest is organized by the Canadian Institute of Planners which hands out prizes for Great Street, Great Public Place and Great Neighbourhood.
Ladysmith’s First Avenue is pitted against Smither’s Main Street, New Westminster’s Front Street Mews and Vancouver’s Alley Oop - a transformed laneway between Hastings and Pender at Granville and Seymour.
RELATED: Vote for Ladysmith’s First Avenue as the 2017 Great Street
But none of the competition offers the perks of a street on the 49th Parallel with views of the Salish Sea that hosts many of the annual celebrations that put Ladysmith on the map.
“It stretches eight blocks anchored by a well-used community hall at one end and a thriving commercial area at the other,” reads to description submitted by the town as part of the nomination process.
“The mixed-use buildings fronting on this important street include utilitarian, Edwardian, false-front boomtown and vernacular architectural styles providing for a recognizable and interesting street character. Many buildings are brightly painted and provide large window displays that attract passers-by.”
Ladysmith could join the ranks of Great Street award winners such as Water Street in St. Andrews, N.B. (2016) and Broadway Street in Orangeville, Ont. (2015).
The voting period for this year’s contest spans from Oct. 11-27 and up to one vote per day can be submitted from each IP address.