Food, Fun, and More at Downtown Decatur’s 3rd Friday April 17!

Food, Fun, and More at Downtown Decatur’s 3^rd Friday April 17

Decatur, Ala. (April 14, 2015) – Downtown Decatur will host its 3^rd Friday this week, April 17, filling the historic downtown area with fun, food, art, and more. As attendees enjoy the downtown ambiance, a variety of special planned activities are planned including one night only sales, trunk shows, live music, an art exhibition, antiques, and more.

The festivities get underway at 5 p.m. and festivalgoers are invited to spend the evening looking at a wide variety of antique cars along 2^nd Avenue while enjoying some of the area’s best musicians throughout the downtown area and inside many restaurants. Performers include Gray Cauthen on Moulton Street by Downtown Dawgs, Ross Kirk on Second Avenue by the Princess Theatre, The Lumani Dance Theatre on the corner of Second Avenue and Johnston Street by Waggin Tails, The Kozbies on Second Avenue by The Antique Basket, Chuck Puckett in the 800 block of Bank Street, Cheryl Llewellyn in the 700 block of Bank Street, and the Morgan County Dulcimer Association by the Old State Bank.

For children, the Carnegie Visual Arts Center will have activities and art on Bank Street, along with a demonstration by Webster’s Karate Studio, and on the Bank Street Green, CASA of North Alabama will host children’s local favorite band, Tangerine Tambourine. A caricature artist and face painting will also provide entertainment during the evening.

From 6 to 8 p.m., the 2015 Spring Senior Art Exhibition will be on display at the Alabama Center for the Arts. Bank Street will also be filled with a variety of motorcycles provided by the North Alabama Vintage Motorcycle Club and antique vendors and non-profit organizations will be featured in the 500 block where festivalgoers can drop by and learn more about what is offered in Decatur and Morgan County.

Shopping in downtown Decatur is plentiful during the 3^rd Friday celebration, as many of the merchants remain open late. Craft vendors selling handmade items will fill Casa Grande Park and Jones Park on 2^nd Avenue and a produce and farmers market can be found on Bank Street. Zelivi will offer 30% off of any purchase and local pepper jelly maker JalaJala will be at The Cupboard with free samples. The Paper Chase is celebrating its 8^th birthday and will serve refreshments and have a “Scarlet & Gold” Trunkshow. Inner Peace Massage will host a Chloe + Isabel Pop-Up Shop with refreshments, kids crafts and door prizes. Simp McGhee’s will celebrate its 29^th anniversary with entertainment provided by Lori Neville and Justin Miller. Downtown Dawgs will have free kids nachos with the purchase of a Combo Meal.

Participating streets in 3^rd Fridays include 2^nd Avenue, Bank, Market, Moulton, Grant, and Johnston streets. MCATS will provide transportation between Bank Street and Second Avenue for $1 per person, per ride. Pickup locations are at the Alabama Center for the Arts parking lot on Second Avenue and beside Tammy Eddy Antiques and Interiors on Bank Street.

Third Friday’s was first organized in 2009 by merchants as a way to attract locals and visitors to the downtown area. The Downtown Merchants Association wishes to thank the City of Decatur Parks and Recreation Department for the tremendous support they provide to the event as an in-kind sponsor. Presenting sponsor is Budweiser. Additional sponsors include Decatur Downtown Redevelopment Authority, Bank Independent, Decatur/Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce, Morgan County Commission, Nucor Steel, 3M, Renasant Bank, Stovall-Marks Insurance, Beautiful Edge-A Paul Mitchell Focus Salon, and King Insurance Agency.

For more information, call Ashley Ashwander at 256.355.8993 or visit 3^rd Friday’s Facebook page for the latest information.