City celebrates great success in first Third Friday Downtown Lincoln

[May 23, 2016]   LINCOLN - Many people are familiar with the saying, "If you build it, they will come." On Friday evening, the city of Lincoln re-defined the meaning of those words when they put together the first ever Third Friday Downtown Lincoln event and watched as hundreds of people strolled into the downtown area to be a part of it all.

The evening began at 5:30 p.m. but long before that, volunteers were busy setting up tables, placing trash receptacles, helping get games set up and much more in preparation for the big event.

The theme for the evening was Game Night with the stars of the show being the Giant Jenga, a super large version of Kerplunk, super-sized Twister, and a larger than life Hippo-Chow-Down, something very similar to the Hungry Hippo board game.

The kids took to the chow down and a military style bounce house along with the Kerplunk. Kids and adults alike enjoyed the giant Jenga the large version of the Connect Four Game, and a Tic-Tac-Toe game that utilized hula-hoops.

A large stage area was set up at the intersection of Pulaski and Kickapoo Streets. It was there that city of Lincoln Mayor Marty Neitzel accompanied by several of the Lincoln City Council members welcomed a large crowd to the event. Immediately following, the band Origin Story kicked off the evening of live entertainment. Rows of picnic tables near the stage quickly filled as the street party attendees snatched up $1 slices of pizza and scoops of Culver's Custard to enjoy during the first set of live music.

Around the corner, Spirited Republic had a beer garden set up on the street, and grown ups were enjoying a bags tournament held under the supervision of the Lincoln Knights of Columbus.

Other attractions on Broadway Street included a Bike Rodeo and the 'Touch a Truck" event with large military vehicles provided by the Illinois National Guard that were accompanied by soldiers in uniform who visited with folks and talked about the big machines and their military purpose.

There were also business sponsored tents included Michelle Bauer with Country Financial, who was handing out coloring books and stickers; and State Bank of Lincoln, that had a small putting area set up at their tent.

The Third Friday events are sponsored by the city of Lincoln. Each month throughout the summer there will be an event, featuring a special theme. The next Third Friday will be held on June 17th, and the theme will be "Picnic in the Park." Further details will be announced as the date approaches.

[Nila Smith]