|
On July 18 downtown Lincoln was
buzzing with energy during the latest installment of 3rd Friday, a
monthly community event drawing families, friends, and food lovers
from across the area.
The streets were packed, with an especially large turnout of
children enjoying inflatable water slides set up to beat the summer
heat. Laughter and splashes could be heard at booths as kids lined
up, enjoying a break from the heat of summer.
Vendors filled the square with tempting scents and treats. Boomer’s
BBQ drew in hungry guests with smoky aromas, while Smash Slinging
Slasher lived up to its name with flavorful offerings. Straight Up
Sips kept the crowd refreshed, and Sorrento’s made it easy to grab a
quick bite with $2 pizza slices. “We like this because there’s kids
who don't get to go to the fair,” said city clerk Peggy Bateman. “We
try to get it to a reasonable price for bigger families.”
For those looking for something sweet or caffeinated, Brew66 offered
cold brews and specialty drinks crafted with beans from Guest House
Coffee.
Crochet & Kandi brought a handmade touch to the vendor lineup,
offering a mix of crocheted goods and jewelry made by a
mother-daughter duo. It was one of many family-run booths giving the
event a welcoming, small-town feel.
Classic car enthusiasts and curious
kids alike flocked to the Railsplitter Antique Auto Club’s display.
“So the younger kids can take interest in the cars,” one member
explained, sharing that children could vote on their favorite
vehicles and receive a Hot Wheels toy as a prize.
[to top of second column] |
Community support services also had a
strong presence. Hope on 5th and ROSC (Logan County Recovers
Together) shared a table to raise awareness about homelessness and
recovery options in the area. “Hope on 5th is a homeless shelter
here in Lincoln. We take in families, vets... we’re getting a food
pantry, we have a lot of support,” one representative said. “The
whole community came together to make a homeless shelter. We have
women with children there.” The shelter now also provides free legal
advice through retired Judge Funk.
From cool-down slides to hot food, handmade crafts to community
resources, this month’s 3rd Friday proved once again why it’s become
a tradition in Lincoln.
[Sophia Larimore] |
