May 21st Third Friday Downtown in Lincoln shaping up nicely
Still plenty of room for artisans and vendors

[May 14, 2021]    The first Third Friday Downtown event of 2021 will be Friday, May 21st. The event is shaping up nicely with lots of activities, food and free entertainment for the community.

Several vendors and artisans have signed up to have tables at the event, but there is still plenty of room for more. Interested parties are encouraged to consider bringing their small business products, artwork, or information about their organization or club to the outdoor event.

The evening will begin at 5:30 p.m. and conclude at 8:30 p.m. Admission is free and social distancing is suggested throughout the evening.

To start off the line up there will be lots of fun and games for the young and young at heart. As of today, the Lincoln Park District will be on hand with sidewalk chalk art pictures, a new ax game, volleyball, scooters and jump ropes.

Zumba for kids will be from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. by Rachel Welker.

The Lincoln Public Library will offer a story telling event and the city of Lincoln will be bringing out the oversize wooden games similar to Jenga and Connect Four. There will also be a bag toss game provided by the city.

CAC Rocks will be on hand offering rock painting and decorating and the Lincoln Arts Institute will offer community painting, sidewalk chalk art and printmaking for all.

New this year will be the Artisans booths and several of our local talent have already signed up to come and share with the community. Among those will be Bob’s Woodshed, Randy Washam Photography, Dim Art House, Moksha Center Handmade by Emma, Becky Trago Acrylics and Resins, and Paige Price travel van henna. There is still space available for artisans and it is hoped that there will be many more offerings by the time May 21st comes around.

Vendors who have signed up for the first event of the year include Darlene Begolka Tupperware, Holly Matoesian Colorstreet Nails, and Lincoln CBD. Dennis Campbell with Lincoln College Creekside Environmental Learning Center will be on hand to share the wonders of nature and Lincoln College’s Lincoln Heritage Museum will be there with games and information about the museum and our local connection to Abraham Lincoln. CEFCU in Lincoln will be bringing Literature Power to the party. Also look for booths for the Lincoln Christian Church Harvest of Talents and the Logan County Railsplitters. Sir Renna Tea will have a sidewalk sale in front of their business offering household items, paintings and clothing.

For the foodies in attendance, fear not, there are going to be several offerings starting with free hotdogs offered by Joe Ryan of Country Financial in Lincoln. Sorrento’s will be selling pizza by the slice and both Mama’s Arcade and the Alley-Bi Saloon are offering their delicious cheeseburgers.

Flossie and Delzena’s will have pulled pork nachos, walking tacos and strawberry bubble lemonade. Guest House is making cookies from scratch and Nitro brew. Crossway Church is providing free hot dogs and water. For dessert, ice cream from Top Hat Creamery in Lincoln will be available.

For live entertainment, the first event of the year will bring back a popular group, Harmony G.R.I.T.S, offering some great music throughout the evening.

For those who are interested in signing up for a booth in the artisan or vendor section, the process is easy and it is FREE. Because this is a family friendly event, there are guidelines that should be followed and an application that should be filled out and submitted to the Third Friday committee.

Find additional information about obtaining a booth here:

Third Friday Market/Vendor Guidelines – Pdf link

Third Friday Market/Vendor Application – Pdf link

Questions regarding the guidelines or application can be addressed to the committee via email at [e-mail].  This year’s committee members are Marcia Cook, Chair, Tracy Welch, Co-chair, Peggy Bateman, Kevin Bateman, Darlene Begolka, Jaylee Swinford and Becky Strait.

Volunteers are always needed for the Third Friday events. If you have a couple of hours to come out and help please reach out to the committee via email.

Third Fridays will be scheduled for May 21, June 18, and July 16, and of course, will be subject to weather conditions.

The committee is very excited to be able to bring the Friday night events back to Lincoln in 2021 and are hopeful that all will come out and enjoy an evening of fun, food, and live entertainment.

[Submitted by Marcia Cook, Committee Chair]