First Friday to return to downtown Lima

LIMA — Downtown Lima’s First Fridays will return for the summer starting at 5 p.m. Friday with the Dog Days of Summer.

The city’s downtown area will see the Downtown Lima Farmers Market occupy the southeast corner, while Westgate Lanes and WOCAP will offer activities and fun for kids in the northeast and ArtSpace/Lima will host local band Prudence starting at 6 p.m.

“First Fridays this year are a little bit different than we’ve had in the past,” Betsy Billingsley, Executive Director of Downtown Lima, Inc. said. “There are going to be evening events, so we’ve got music and fun and the RTA trolley. There is just a whole lot for everybody to check out what’s happening downtown.”

The monthly tradition will kick off with a pet-friendly celebration featuring a hotdog bar at Zinum 12 and an open patio at The Met.

“But it’s not just for the pups; it’s for the families and friends, too,” Billingsley added.

Beyond just fun for residents, the event will help to showcase local businesses and restaurants.

“I think it’s a great way to kick off the summer and it’s a great way to showcase the experiences that we have to offer this summer downtown,” Billingsley said. “And then as we grow and everything opens, people will get more comfortable with where things are and what’s happening downtown. So it’s a good time to bring the family down and start getting familiar with what we’ve got going on.”

To aid in that quest, Billingsley said that residents should take advantage of the RTA trolley, provided by Citizens National Bank, which will be offering free rides to take them to each location to avoid walking.

Throughout the summer, Downtown Lima will offer activities in the square each first Friday of the month and different activities at member locations.

“We’ll post a different map for each First Friday that will be up Monday before the event and we’ll have those to hand out as well,” Billingsley said. “But the idea and concept is basically the same for each month.”

First Fridays planned for the rest of the summer will be July 7 (Stars and Stripes Forever) and Aug. 4 (Good Vibrations).

For more information, visit the Downtown Lima, Inc. website and stay up to date by checking out the nonprofit’s Facebook.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: First Fridays

WHEN: Starting at 5 p.m. Friday

WHERE: Downtown Lima

Reach Jacob Espinosa at 567-242-0399.