Final Third Friday event in Lincoln a great success

[July 24, 2021]    Friday, July 16th marked the final Third Friday Downtown Lincoln event for the season. In spite of concerns about the weather, organizers decided to keep the event on the calendar and crossed their fingers that Mother Nature would cooperate.

Committee Chair Marcia Cook said Friday night she was relieved that the event was able to go on as planned. She said that the committee had seriously considered rescheduling and making the last event of the year a fourth Friday event, but it had all worked out.

The Third Friday evenings had been planned for May, June and July. The May event was excellent with perfect weather and large crowds. The June event had to be cancelled because of extreme heat and predictions of high winds and severe storms moving into the area on that Friday evening. The finale event held last Friday was almost as well attended as the first event. The temperatures were mild and it was overcast, but there were only a few sprinkles that fell from the sky toward the end of the event.

Mayor Tracy Welch said he was very appreciative of the event committee at the Monday night city council meeting this week. He praised the new committee members for bringing fresh ideas and new perspectives and remarked that it had been very successful. He said that after cancelling the June event, there was discussion of having an August event. However, August is going to be a busy month and the committee felt that adding a Third Friday to the mix might just be overload for the community.

At the July event there were about 30 vendors, some returning from the May event and some new ones.

At a new table volunteers raised awareness about an influx of teenagers that will be in the county the week of July 25th. "Workcamp for Lincoln" provided information about what the kids would be doing and why the community could rest easy that intentions were good and that the kids would be working to make Logan County a better place to live.

The Railsplitter Association was on hand in July as they were in May with a new attraction at their table. Bob Rankin and Dorothy Winter, members of the World Ax Throwing League, demonstrated ax throwing for viewers. Rankin said that there are approximately 4,000 members of the league and he personally ranks in the top 150 of those members for hitting the bullseye with a small hatchet sized axe. Winter owns "Real Ax Throwing" in Springfield, where participants can learn the craft or practice their craft in a safe environment.

Rankin said that the original plan had been to allow members of the public to try their hand at the craft. However, the safety barrier that is required for the sport was ordered, but did not arrive in time for the Friday event so those plans had to be nixed.

CEFCU in Lincoln was another returning vendor but with a new twist this month. The Unique Twist balloon artist was on hand and very popular with the kids. Unique Twist had been a big attention getter on the Fourth of July at the Lincoln Park District, and many children were excited to see him again on Friday night.

At the intersection of Pulaski and Kickapoo Streets the Thornhill Band provided live music throughout the evening and several guests enjoyed just sitting and listening to the toe-tapping melodies.

The painted rock lady Mandy Cordray, was set up along with other artisans on McLean Street near the Lincoln Arts Institute. She and the henna tattoo ladies were popular stops around the block.

On Broadway Street, various games were set up for kids of all ages. One of the more fun things to watch was kids playing volleyball with a giant ball. Monday night Mayor Welch did mention that the Lincoln Fire Department was called to action Friday night for a rescue. The big ball was stuck on an awning, and had to be rescued.

There were also plenty of food opportunities for the night. Downtown businesses such as Sorrento’s, Guest House, the Alley-bi Saloon, and Spirited Republic were selling food, treats and beverages. Sir Renna Tea had a beverage stand outside their shop and a number of local churches were on hand with free food or reasonably prices food and beverages and Mak’s Shaved Ice Shak was open for business on Broadway Street.

All together it was a great evening and a great way to close the Third Friday season for 2021. Thanks to all those who worked so hard to bring back an event that the community has come to love.

[Nila Smith]