August Third Friday event draws large attendance

[August 21, 2017]  LINCOLN - On Friday evening, the city of Lincoln hosted the “Third Fridays Downtown” event on Broadway, Kickapoo, and Pulaski Streets around the Logan County Courthouse Square.

The evening was warm, but not hot, and it seemed that after the extreme heat last month, folks were enjoying a cooler event.

On Broadway Street there were activities for kids, all lots of fun, and well attended.

Ready,

Set,

Go!

The 90-foot inflatable obstacle course had kids running, crawling, climbing and sliding from one end to the other. Off to the side was another fun inflatable, a batting cage. With a plastic ball that was suspended by air, kids had the chance to take a swing and slam the ball into the cage.

A bike rodeo was also being offered on Broadway Street with volunteers examining bikes to make sure they were safe and talking about helmet safety, also instructing kids about important things like stopping at corners and checking traffic before attempting to cross the streets.

Midwest Dental was set up with games and gifts for kids, and a chance to win an electric toothbrush.

The final offering on Broadway Street was a tricycle obstacle course for young and old alike. Though most of the participants were kids who were very much enjoying the event, it was touted as an event where anyone could ride.

This month, Kickapoo Street was lined on both sides with vendor booths. Many of them were home-based businesses selling their wares, but there were also a number of not-for-profit organizations offering information about their programs or selling items as fundraisers.

Organizations such as St. John United Church of Christ in Lincoln was on hand selling soda, water, and snacks; and Faith Assembly Church in Lincoln was offering up Snow Cones.

St. Clara’s Manor and Castle Manor volunteers were set up selling popcorn and bottled water and the Christian Village in Lincoln was providing cotton candy.

United Riders of Central Illinois was on hand conducting a fundraiser selling sodas and water.

Food was available from Sorentos, Flossie and Delzina’s, Mama’s Arcade, and the Alley Bi. The Boy Scouts were back again this month selling food, as was Meghan’s Lemonade Shake-up Stand.

The Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce was on hand giving out passes to veterans for the Balloon Festival coming up this weekend, and also talking about the festival with visitors.

The Logan County Tourism Bureau was on hand, selling their Tropic’s Tee-shirts and talking about other tourist attractions within the community.

The United Way of Logan County was on hand hosting its first of two book exchange events at the Third Friday event. Look for another book exchange at the September event.

The Community Action Partnership of Central Illinois was giving out popcorn, gummy bears, soda and water for a donation and selling a CAPCIL cup with unlimited refills of lemonade.

Clint Pollock was on hand as well with a trailer full of electronic equipment, talking with visitors about his business “Lincubate,” which is a technology incubator aimed at “enabling the people of Logan County with technology skills they can use to get high paying, rewarding jobs related to technology.” ( http://archives. lincolndailynews.com/2017/Jan/28/NEWS/ business020217_LINCUBATE.shtml)

On Pulaski Street, a variety of performers were on stage throughout the evening with their musical offerings. Folks enjoyed grabbing a bite to eat and finding a seat at the many picnic tables set up near the stage. Pulaski Street also was the location for the Spirited Republic beer garden, as well as the monthly corn bags tournament.

In all, the event was very well attended with lots of kids enjoying all the activities while parents watched, took photos, and found friends to visit with throughout the evening.

September will mark the final Third Friday event for 2017. Look for future announcements for the theme for that final event.

[Nila Smith]