Downtown Danville, Inc is partnering with Mayor, Rickey Williams, Jr. and the city of Danville to bring back First Friday events. The City and DDI are collaborating with the Danville Public Library, The Fischer Theatre, a variety of downtown merchants and generous sponsors, to bring something special downtown. “The collaborative effort in planning these events has been outstanding. The planning committee was able to use event ideas and plans from the library and the Fischer as a springboard for developing the final themes.” Said Carol Nichols, Downtown Danville, Inc. Board Secretary. She added, “This collaboration provides cross-promotional opportunities and allows us to elevate the quality of the First Friday events.”
The first First Friday event will be a two-day affair. Spring Shine will be held on Friday and Saturday, April 3rd and 4th. On Friday The Easter Bunny will be in his hutch at Temple Plaza from 5:30 to 8:00 pm. He will take a break to help lead the second annual Spring Shine Easter Bonnet Parade that begins at 6:00 pm. The parade will start at Seminary Street and travel down Vermilion St. to Temple Plaza. This portion of Vermilion Street will be closed from 5:30 to 7:00 pm. The public is invited to be spectators of the parade along this section of Vermilion Street or to join the parade, wearing their most creative and fanciful Easter Bonnets. Kids are also welcome, to participate in the parade. They can decorate their bikes or wagons and join in the fun. Businesses are also invited to participate. They can decorate a sign to promote themselves and march along with other parade entrants. Anyone who wants to join in the parade march should meet at the Danville Public Library parking lot between 5:30 and 6:00 pm.
“The parade is a fun way for the community to come together to celebrate the arrival of Spring.” said Amy McKinley, DDI Board President. She added, “Those who would like to
Contact: Amy McKinley Senior Source Danville Phone:(217) 274-7239 Cell: (615) 330-9553 7 East North Street Danville, IL 61832 PRESS RELEASE
participate can create their own bonnets or be on the look out for bonnet making events coming up at Danville Public Library and Senior Source Danville.”
Following the parade, back at Temple Plaza there will be a contest for the most creative and fun Easter Bonnet. Entrants will come together on the main stage at Temple Plaza and the crowd will vote for their favorite bonnet. There will be a kids’ (0-17) and an adult category (18+). The winning kid will win a gift certificate from Vintage Villains and a dozen cookies from Café 13. The winner from the adult category will win two tickets to the Spring Break concert being held at The Fischer Theatre that evening at 8 pm. 90’s Daughter and XCrush will be performing.
On Saturday, Spring Shine festivities will continue downtown, beginning at 11 am and wrapping up at 2 pm. Downtown Danny will again be in his hutch, welcoming children of all ages to take advantage of this cheerful and fun photo opportunity. A petting zoo sponsored by Kruger Coan Funeral Home and Kruger ATA Martial Arts will be at Temple Plaza from 11 am to 1 pm. Easter egg coloring activity will take place from 11 am to 1 pm at Kresge Park. The Dixie Flyer Band will play between 12 pm and 2 pm on stage at Temple Plaza. The band is sponsored by Home Instead Senior Care of Danville.
The library will be offering Easter basket decorating craft time between 11 am and 1 pm. The baskets can be used to participate in the Merchant Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt held between 11 am and 2 pm. Those wishing to participate in the hunt will need to check in at the information table at Temple Plaza. This is where they will pick up the map of participating merchants and receive other pertinent details. Next, they will visit the merchants and collect a different color egg from each location. They will need to bring back their basket of eggs to Temple Plaza. All those who have collected the required number of eggs will be entered into a drawing for brand new bikes. John and Pat Bowers of Bowers Tree Experts have donated one girl’s and one boy’s bike.
First Friday events are sponsored by the city of Danville and organized by Downtown Danville, Inc.’s planning and promotions committee. The events are designed to drive energy, excitement and interest downtown. The events during the summer coincide with the Summer Sounds free concert series at Temple Plaza and will provide an alternative, yet complimentary activity downtown for families to enjoy. “We had great involvement from the downtown merchants last year. Our top priority, as we plan these programs is to be sure we have ways to connect the folks enjoying the event to the businesses downtown.” said McKinley. She added, “The Danville Public Library and The Fischer Theatre will play a large role in the events planned this year and I believe their presence will elevate the level of event we are able to offer the community.”
First Friday themes for the rest of the year include:
· May 1 – Comic Con Costume Party (live entertainment and costume contest)
· June 5 – Read, Investigate and Discover
· July 3 – Community Longest Table Picnic
· Aug. 1 – Back to School Bash
· Sept. 4 – Harry Potter Fest
· Oct. 2 – Trick or Treat Downtown
· Nov. 6 – Community Talent show at the Fischer
· Dec. 3 & 4 – Winter’s Gathering
