City of Lincoln builds another great downtown event for the community

[May 20, 2023]   LINCOLN - Many have heard the phrase, “if you build it they will come.” The city of Lincoln over the last few years have done a stellar job of building a downtown street party that draws not hundreds, but we can safely say a couple of thousand people into the heart of the city for a night of family friendly fun and entertainment.

On Friday, May 19th, the 2023 season kicked off with a downtown event with a down on the farm theme.

Less than an hour into the evening, there were so many people downtown that it was almost shoulder to shoulder in certain areas.

What is good about this event is that it plays to all ages and personalities. From the kids’ corner where children and their adult counterparts enjoyed games, a pretend market, bounce houses and more, to the art section on McLean Street, a car show, swing band providing live entertainment, to a large number of vendors offering everything from jewelry to art, and of course, food, every age group in the crowd found something that they gravitated toward.

As far as the weather was concerned, the first third Friday of 2023 will probably go down as the coolest one of the season. Light rain and a cold front moving through Logan County earlier in the afternoon brought down the humidity and the temperature making it possible for the youngsters to romp and play without getting overheated. Some of the adults may have gotten a bit cool, but a warm sweater was a comfortable addition to attire of the evening.

There had been some rain earlier in the day and there were a few water puddles, but that just added to the adventure for some of the little ones in the crowd as water puddles are always an adventure regardless of whatever else may be going on.

Food opportunities were plentiful and the lines at Sorrento’s Pizzeria, MKS Livestock’s Meat Truck, Mama’s Arcade, Top Hat Creamery, and others were a testament to how good the food must have been on a cool evening.

Beverage businesses such as Spirited Republic and Guest House Coffee and Pastries were also busy all evening long.

There were also those who came for the music, and what they found was “The Aristocats. The swing band was playing a wide variety of music from old to newer, again offering something for most everyone there.

One of the best parts of the night was the reconnection with friends. There were plenty of people out and about, and a walk about the square yielded many opportunities to see an old friend and stop for a lengthy chat before moving on to the next attraction that caught the eye.

On the south side of the Logan County Courthouse Square, Mayor Tracy Welch was taking in the action and said he was pleased with the way the evening had turned out. The weather had been iffy, but the decision had been made to keep the plan in place for the first event of the year. Thankfully the rain stopped at about the time vendors were going to be arriving to set up for the evening. Once there were a few light sprinkles, but no one seemed to notice or even care if they did.

So, yes indeed, if you build it they will come. Those who made the effort to visit the first Third Friday Downtown surely were happy they did, and now know that this season is going to be a good one. After all, the next phrase we like to say, and share is ‘the best is yet to come.”

Coming June 16th will be the Nashville Nights edition of Third Friday Downtown. Look for seven live bands playing at downtown food and drink businesses, plus some special events at the local retailers, and of course, the evening filled with fun and games on the courthouse square. So indeed, the best is yet to come.

[Nila Smith]