The Mountain Times

6th Annual Friday Night Live summer event series begins, June 22

The Downtown Rutland Partnership June 15 released the 2012 schedule for its Friday Night Live summer event series.

Commencing Friday June 22 at 6 p.m. and continuing each Friday through August 10, the Downtown Rutland Partnership will once again host its annual outdoor festival series - Friday Night Live.

This Center Street, Rutland event boasts a wide variety of food, shopping and entertainment options. Kicking off this year's festivities on June 22, The Secret Circus will perform for children at 6:15 p.m., followed by evening entertainment with musical group Bow Thayer & Holy Plow at 7 p.m. and a feature performance by local favorites Satin & Steel at 8:35 p.m. Each of the following Fridays will feature unique children's and musical performances.

"This is our 6th year hosting the Friday Night Live series. We're very excited about some new ideas. Over the winter, we took a step back to evaluate the event. What was working? What was missing?" said Michael Coppinger, executive director of the Downtown Rutland Partnership. "We made some tweaks and I think you'll find that this year we are even more community oriented. We're increasing our family and interactive events. I'm especially excited about this year's musical line-up - again on two stages. And this year we will have an even wider variety of food and shopping options. Our downtown businesses are excited to officially kick off summer and we even have a few surprises up our sleeves."

"We're also asking people to save-the-date the weekend of August 3rd for our annual sidewalk sale and food festival." Coppinger added. "Without a doubt, this summer, downtown Rutland is the place to be."

Friday Night Live will take place every Friday evening this summer from June 22 through August 10 - rain or shine.  As with previous years, downtown Center Street with be closed to traffic between Wales Street & Merchants Row. Parking is suggested on adjacent streets and in the downtown parking garage. Many downtown merchants will offer extended hours. Each Friday, the event ends at 10 p.m.  A list of participating businesses, entertainment and event sponsors can be found at www.rutlanddowntown.com.

Tagged: Friday Night Live, Downtown Rutland Partnership