Downtown Decatur's Monthly Celebration- July 19

Downtown Decatur's 3rd Friday is  July 19^th, and plenty of free family fun is on the agenda. This month’s celebration features local favorite Jeff Whitlow and the Old Barn Band, the second annual speed eating hot dog eating contest, a street full of vintage beauties, free tours at the Old State Bank, and other family-friendly activities.
Downtown Decatur’s 3

Beginning at 5 p.m., blocks of both Bank Street and Second Avenue will be closed and festival goers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and enjoy a relaxing evening. At 6:30 p.m., Jeff Whitlow and the Old Barn Band is slated for the Bank Street Main Stage located in the 800 block, with Lori Neville and Justin Miller on the Second Avenue Main Stage in the block  of Second Avenue beside Casa Grande Park. Additional performers scheduled to perform include Jason Crow at Simp McGhee’s, Gray, Black and White at The Magnolia Room, Clarence Root “The Chordsman” at Bank Street Green, MTB Karaoke and Kozmic Sound and Music at CJ’s Bail Bonding, and AB Boys at Jones Park (sponsored by Goody 2 Shoes).

All along Bank Street, classic cars and vintage beauties will be on display. The Old State Bank will offer free tours. Sykes Place on Bank will host a benefit concert featuring Michael Dean and Memphis. Festival goers are encouraged to stick around after dark for Movies in the Park where Rise of the Guardian will be shown in Founder’s Park. 

On Second Avenue in Casa Grande Park, festival goers can find the Vendor Marketplace featuring handmade items and Wimberly’s on Second (formerly Bank Street Antiques) will host chair caning demonstrations. There will be Karaoke with DJ Jammin’ Jeff and a Kids Zone featuring demonstrations by Webster’s Karate Studio on Second Avenue between Moulton Street and Johnston Street, and the Carnegie Visual Arts Center is bringing its Art in the Street program to Second Avenue. 

Downtown Dawgs will have its second annual Speed Eating Hotdog Contest beginning at 6:30 p.m. Bank Street Green will be serving specialty Angus burgers, beef hot dogs, soft drinks, beer and liquor. The Arts and Entertainment District is now effect allowing visitors to walk around outdoors with open containers of beer, wine or alcoholic beverages from Gordon Drive to 4^th Avenue. Store specials, giveaways, and discounts will be offered at selected retailers and restaurants and the Amberley Suite Hotel will offer its Catfish Friday Buffet. Beautiful Edge Salon will have a Wounded Warrior Project fundraiser with red and blue hair extensions and spa day raffle.

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. Platinum Sponsors are Decatur Downtown Redevelopment Authority and United Launch Alliance. Gold Sponsors include Decatur/Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Decatur Morgan Hospital, Lamar, Morgan County Commission, and Supreme Beverage Company/Yuengling/Yuengling Light. Silver Sponsors are Bank Independent and Old Black Bear Brewing Company. Bronze Sponsors are Renasant Bank, Stovall-Marks Insurance, and Temple Inc.

Participating streets in 3^rd Fridays include Second Avenue, Bank, Market, Moulton, Grant, and Johnston Streets. Admission is free. For more information, call Ashley Ashwander at 256.355.8993 or visit 3^rd Friday’s Facebook page for the latest information.