Yahoo Finance O’Fallon ‘District Nights’ showcase downtown businesses with food and entertainment
Festive fun awaits in downtown O’Fallon Thursday, for the first “District Nights” from 1st Street from the O’Fallon Station at Vine Street down to Birch Market.
People can enjoy music, fun family activities, and food and drink from over a dozen of the downtown district’s bars and restaurants from 5 to 9 p.m. on June 1.
Downtown District Coordinator Sarah Burton and a group of district merchants have created another opportunity for the community to gather.
“We want to showcase how awesome the O’Fallon Downtown District and its businesses are. We have worked hard to offer something for everyone so the entire family can come and have a fun night,” she said.
Two other District Nights are planned this summer, on July 6 and Aug. 3.
“We are very excited for this series of events. We think each one will be unique and bring another level of fun to the area for everyone to enjoy,” Burton said.
The O’Fallon Parks and Recreation oversees O’Fallon Station and the Vine Street Market, which has been a major part of the downtown revitalization – and its rebound after the global coronavirus pandemic.
Burton is the driving force behind the farmer’s market that opened five years ago in the new community space designated as part of the economic development incentive Destination O’Fallon. She was named coordinator for the downtown district because of the growth
On its opening Saturday this year, it drew 3,750 visitors. The regular market season is from May 13 to Oct. 21, with hours 8 a.m. until noon every Saturday, but they also have micro events and a winter’s market. Last year, attendance was estimated at 26,000 over a 23-week period.
For the first concert, Champagne Fixx will play live music from 6 to 9 p.m. on a stage set up on Lincoln Avenue at the intersection of 1st Street. They are a four-member pop-rock band from St. Louis who plays hits from the 1970s to today’s music.
A car “cruise in” – a show hosted by 1st Street Lounge – will be located next to the caboose and the VFW Post. A variety of antique and sporty new cars will be on display in a two- block area of the event.
“The cruise will not be a judged show but a place where car owners can show off their prized cars and the community can have fun looking at them and talking to the owners. The cars will be stationary within the event so everyone can enjoy seeing them,” Burton said.
Visitors can purchase tickets to vote on their favorite car and the People’s Choice Champion will be announced by 8:30 p.m.
Among the family-friendly activities are tricycle races, yard games and a coloring station provided by O’Fallon Parks and Recreation.
CrossFit Voyage is hosting a fitness challenge where you can compete against your friends and see who can row the farthest the fastest and who can hang from a pull bar the longest, Burton said.
O’Fallon History Museum will open the caboose for tours.
Alliance Comics will be on site with a variety of products from their store, Courage & Grace will have a friendship bracelet craft that kids can make and shopping for adults, and Art Gecko Creative Studio will have face painting for purchase.
Other businesses participating include Furchild, Trailhead Capital Management, Saddleback Chocolates, Refinery Salon, Luckenbooth Consignment Gallery, Birch Market, Fezziwig’s Marketplace, Wood Bakery, and Roots tree company.
Food & Drink
Street tacos, nachos, pizza, burgers, wings, charcuteries, macaroni and cheese, snacks and more will be served outdoors that evening.
Every bar or restaurant in the 1st Street corridor is participating –1st Street Lounge, Gia’s, Le Ono, Outdoorsman, Peel, Shooters, Sweet Katie Bee’s, along with Gears, Boarding House Bistro and Juice Heal Thrive, and offering a variety of food and drink, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic.
Most eating establishments will be set up in front of their business with others spread throughout downtown on 1st Street, Burton said.
District Nights souvenir cups are $5, and most businesses will have them available with your first drink purchase or stop in the Downtown District tent. Once you have one, you can get it refilled or exchanged for a fresh one at all the bars and restaurants within the event, organizers say.
Businesses will have water, soda, juice, lemonades, smoothies, frozen drinks, beer, wine and more, plus a few water stations will be available.
Event organizers encourage attendees to bring a lawn chair. There will be limited tables throughout the event but no additional seating.
No outside food or drink is permitted at this event, so that people can enjoy dining and drinking with our local establishments who all help make this event possible.
The event is free but food and beverages cost, as do some activities.
Furry friends are welcome during District Nights. All dogs must be on a leash and well socialized to attend the event. Clean up after your dog is required, and there are doggie bags in green dispensers downtown but please bring your own, organizers say.
The streets closed for this event include 1st Street, Lincoln Avenue and Cherry Street from State Street to 2nd Street. People will be able to walk in the corridor.
For more information, visit Downtown District’s Facebook page.Downtown District event calendar is up to date too. https://www.ofallondowntowndistrict.com/events/
