–Brace yourselves for Blues, Brews and BBQ themed First Friday event on July 11, from 4 pm to 9 pm. First Fridays was recently awarded best retail event in the state by WEDC, and brings thousands of community members and tourists together for a themed celebration each month.
International blues performer Ivy Ford Band will be the featured band on Monument Square from 5:30-8:30pm. Crosswalk Park will have Night Wing and then Titus, Rench & Wheary.
BBQ will be available for purchase at Monument Square at multiple food trucks, in addition to at Reefpoint Brew House, Dragon Pit BBQ.
Free Brew samples will be available at Dimple’s Imports, Reefpoint Brew House, Mahoffer’s on Main, RG Natural Babies, Pepi’s Pub & Grill, Artists Gallery, and Photographic Design Studio
The Creative Crawl will continue throughout downtown as well offering artist demos, hands-on activities at Artist Gallery, Racine Art Museum, Hot Shop Glass, Hotel Verdant, Uncorkt, and Vintage & Modern Books
Live music will be pulsating throughout downtown at Bridge Tender Tavern, Chartroom, Divino Gelato, Harbor Lite Yacht Club, Mahoffer’s on Main, Reefpoint Brew House and Smoke’d on the Water.
In addition, Downtown will be celebrating the grand opening of 3 new businesses with ribbon cuttings:
New Café 600 Main St. St 4:30 pm
Mahoffer’s on Main 236 Main St. 5:00 pm
Tulip Tavern 509 6th St 5:30 pm
Merchants, restaurants, and bars are not just opening doors; they’re rolling out the red carpet, curating a shopping and dining extravaganza that transcends the ordinary.
Kelly Kruse, Executive Director of the DRC, expressed enthusiasm about the series: “We are incredibly proud to have grown First Fridays significantly, capturing a statewide award and celebrating another summer with a free event that brings the community together.”
Parking is conveniently available at the Lake Avenue Ramp (300 Lake Avenue), Civic Centre Ramp (501 Lake Avenue), and the McMynn Ramp (120 7th Street) or Shoop (Main & State) for an all-day rate of only $4.00.