Nashville Nights a smash hit in the heart of Lincoln on Friday night

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[June 17, 2023]    Lincoln Daily News has been covering local events throughout the county for the last 23 years. In those years, there have been a number of events held on the Logan County Court House Square.

Because LDN has seen them all, it is easy to say that what was witnessed on Friday evening on the square was one of the largest events in respect of numbers of people present, that the heart of Lincoln has ever seen.

The June Third Friday’s Downtown Lincoln was a shining example of two groups coming together to make for one fantastic event that had something for everyone.

The theme of the evening was Nashville Nights. This is the second year for this theme that is a collaborative between the Downtown Businesses group and the City of Lincoln Third Friday Committee.

The main attraction that fed into the theme is the live music that dotted the square as bands and duos were brought in to perform at the various eateries and bars by the business group.

The goal of the business group is to promote visitors to the heart of the city via special promotions or events throughout the year. Many of these events focus on the retail establishments in the city. However, Nashville Nights is all about the food and beverage establishments.

Starting on Broadway Street just east of Chicago Street was Biloxi Banks playing in front of the Fox Hole.

Heading east the next music stop was to hear Tulo & Eads at Flossie and Delzena’s. Turn north and walk toward Pekin Street and Graviel was scheduled to perform at the Rio Grande.

Doubling back to Broadway and starting the walk around the square, the next band, Lincoln’s Dead was found at Sorrento’s Pizzeria.

Stereo Typical was bringing in the listeners to Pulaski Street near Spirited Republic.

A band that always seems to be a favorite at the Third Friday’s events is Harmony GRITS. The group was set up in front of the Alley-Bi, just west of the square on Pulaski Street.

True to past history, fans had brought their lawn chairs and seemed to be set up to stay for the duration. People were shoulder to shoulder standing, sitting on the curbs, and having a great time in Lincoln.

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Aaron Elijah was booked at the Guest House Coffee and Pastries.

All the food and beverage establishments were bringing in the customers throughout the evening, which was at least a part of the reason for the event in the first place.

But, it wasn’t just the music that brought people to the heart of the city. The theme was carried through to the event that was organized by the Third Friday’s committee, but it was the number of attractions, activities, and vendors that make the event a great place for visitors of any and all ages.

The kids corner area was very popular with oversized board games, and a Limbo for kids made from pool noodles.

The giant inflated climb and slide was very popular as was the bounce house.

According to Marcia Cook, who chairs the committee this year, there were more than 70 vendors scheduled to be at the event. From the looks of it they were all there, and all getting their fair share of attention from visitors.

The popular stops included face painting, henna tattoos, rock painting, walking desserts offered by the Lincoln Park District, and ice cream and cotton candy from the Top Hat Creamery.

Classic cars were back on Pulaski Street again this month and there was an increased number of vehicles over last month, maybe due in part to the idea weather with no hint of rain in the forecast.

It also seemed to be a good night for dogs. Around the square there were a large number of visitors who had brought their dogs to the events, and it appeared that all of them were enjoying being a part of the excitement.

Third Friday’s Downtown Lincoln has always been a popular event, but this month seemed to be the most popular of all time.

There will be one more event this season, to be held in July. If by chance you have not yet attended a Third Friday, you still have one chance left this summer. Putting it on your calendar and taking it all in would be highly recommended.

[Nila Smith]

 

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