Celebrate downtown Decatur every third Friday

DECATUR – Downtown Decatur is kicking off this year’s 3rd Friday monthly celebration this week.

Running through October, the street party encourages the celebration of all that downtown Decatur has to offer while filling the streets with classic cars, live music, shopping and other free family fun. The hours are 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. and admission is free.

Downtown Decatur 3rd Friday invites locals and visitors to explore the downtown area through an evening of family-friendly entertainment.

During the monthly street party, antique cars are parked on Second Avenue between Lee and Moulton streets, line dancers can be seen performing in the intersection of Moulton Street and children are treated to a variety of activities in the kid’s zone on the block from Johnston Street to Grant Street.

Each month will offer a different theme; here is a tentative schedule:

• April: Bike Night
• May: Up Up and Away Young Entrepreneur Night
• June: Downtown Disco
• July: Dog Days
• August: Nonprofit Night
• September: Positively Decatur Night
• October: Fall Fest

Live music is also a feature each month an Americana recording artist Bluewater Revival is slated to headline Friday.

Visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, or they may want to check out the Merit House front porch to watch the mechanical bull, in front of Absaroka. Festivalgoers can try their luck for $5 a ride.

For those arriving hungry, restaurants and food trucks will be set up along Grant Street with tables and chairs available.

In addition, festivalgoers can catch store specials, giveaways and discounts at select downtown merchants and browse and purchase unique items from artists, craft vendors and artesian goods vendors selling handmade items in the area of Second Avenue from Moulton Street to Johnston Street.

On select months, the Morgan County/Decatur Farmers Market will offer mini markets to give a snippet into what will be available on Saturday mornings in the coming weeks.

Organized by the Downtown Merchants and Business Association, 3rd Friday is concentrated in the 2nd Avenue area only (including Holly Street, Moulton Street, Johnston Street and Grant Street).

Beginning at 4:30 p.m., streets will begin to be blocked and will be closed to traffic from 5:30-8:30. Second Avenue from Gordon Drive to Lee Street and Moulton Street from First Avenue to Goody 2 Shoes will be closed. The cross streets at Johnston and Grant streets will be closed before the intersections at Second Avenue to access the public parking lots.

For more information on 3rd Friday, visit www.facebook.com/3rdfridaydowntown/.