The end of construction in downtown Park Rapids is in sight and it's time to celebrate.
This week the Downtown Business Association has organized a Main street event featuring a variety of musicians Thursday afternoon leading up to a performance by bluegrass entertainment, Monroe Crossing, in the evening.
The free concert is at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 18. The concert will cap an afternoon of free music, entertainment and kids' activities from noon to 6 p.m. on Main. ACS is sponsoring the afternoon's stage entertainment.
A ribbon cutting is planned at 6 p.m. before the main event. Bring your own chairs. (In case of inclement weather, the evening concert will be held at the Park Rapids Area High School auditorium.)
The entertainment includes Two of a Kind at noon, The Turner Boys at 1 p.m., Tim Cochran at 2 p.m., Ronald McDonald magic show at 3 p.m., Smoky Hill Singers and Drummers at 3:30 p.m., Troy Anderson at 4 p.m., Thankful Dirt at 5 p.m. and County 20 at 6:30 p.m., opening for Monroe Crossing.
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During the day, the Hubbard County Historical Society will have a tent on Main featuring old photographs of Main street so people can see the transformation. There will also be old games of hopscotch and marbles for the kids.
It should be a day filled with fun for the whole family and a boost for downtown businesses.
Downtown will continue to be the place to be throughout the weekend with the third annual Youth Music and Art Showcase Aug. 18-20.
Art will be displayed in downtown Park Rapids businesses and will be judged by professional artists.
Musicians of all kinds will perform at a variety of Park Rapids downtown businesses as well. Saturday evening, Aug. 20, is the main concert, featuring reggae band "Make the Most." The concert will be at the outdoor pavilion at the Jokela Rodeo & Auction Grounds on Highway 34 east. The Park Rapids Lakes Area Arts Council is organizing the event.
Day care providers and parents of preschoolers are invited to bring their children downtown to do chalk art on sidewalks Friday morning. Free chalk will be available at Wildwood Enchantment.
Main Avenue is certainly turning into the revitalized vision that organizers had hoped for. We hope these types of events will become a regular occurrence.
