By DAVID DUPONT
BG Independent News
Roadwork, a pandemic, a change in leadership — none of that has extinguished the glow of Firefly Nights.
The series of summer festivals returns Friday June 21 to Main Street in downtown Bowling Green.
At the end of COVID restrictions, Kat Patterson, who handles publicity for Firefly Nights, said, a lot was changing. “So to bring something back that was community oriented, for all ages, mI felt it was really really important and something that was free in part because of sponsors was important.,” she said. “People are struggling to find ways to entertain themselves that are cost effective.”
Patterson said the event will again feature its key elements — kids activities, roaming performers, and music as well as the opportunity for folks to join in the effort as volunteers.
Patterson said she and other members have children, and that provides feedback into how Firefly Nights can be fine-tuned.
From the older kids they heard that all there was to do was shop and eat, both of which cost money.
“We are expanding on the north side trying to focus more on teens and preteens,” she said.
Speed of Sound DJ will be providing music there. And a bungee trampoline will be set up. The contraption allows someone to bounce higher without being in danger of falling off. That gives the rider “ sense of flying,” she said.
These improvements were made possible, Patterson said, by a grant from the Bowling Green Community Foundation.
The festival is also “amping” up the magic. Andrew Martin was such a hit as a roaming magician that the festival is bringing in his son who is also a magician.
Glovation will also return as a roaming act.
The roaming acts, Patterson said, serve to engage festival goers, especially those waiting in lines.
Music will again be presented in the parking lot with the Black Swamp mural, just south of 165 S. Main St.
It’s Somewhat Humanoid will perform from 6:30-7:30 p.m. with AmpWagon on stage from 8-9:30 p.m.
There will also be about a dozen vendors. Many, especially locals, are “passionate” about Firefly Nights “and want to come back every year,” Patterson said. That includes Ellen Fure Smith and Little Bare Furniture.
“If she wasn’t there, it would feel empty,” Patterson said.
There will also be vendors new to the festival.
Other activities will include:
- A bounce house on the south end.
- Bubble and chalk activity near the music stages.
- Craft activities on both the north and south ends of the festival.
- A musical petting zoo hosted by the Falcon Marching Band.
- A performance by Julie’s Dance Studio.
- Free samples from the BGSU dining service food truck.
- A display by Snook’s Dream Cars.
- A display by Nature’s Nursery.
- The next Firefly Nights festival is scheduled for July 19. The committee has added back an August event on the 16th. Last year a third event was held in October on Wooster Green.
Firefly Nights started as a summer activity, and the committee wanted to return to those roots, Patterson said.
But that weekend is extremely busy in BG. The Fall Soccer Challenge is being held on campus and the National Tractor Pulling Championships is at the fairgrounds.
Patterson said it would be too difficult for the city to close Main Street on that third Friday in August. Last year’s fall event showed what could be done within the footprint of Wooster Green.
“We can still have a festival,” she said. “We just can’t do everything.”
This will give visitors a chance to see a different side of BG as well as an evening of entertainment for the community.
The festival is always in need of volunteers. Patterson said this year her children will join her as Firefly volunteers.
Those wishing to help, whether during the festival, setting up, or tearing down, can click here to sign up.
This year’s presenting sponsors are BGSU, State Bank – Bowling Green, Thayer Family Dealerships, and Visit BG Ohio.
Committee members are: Patterson, Matty Sayre, Amber Hines, Amy Simmons, Michelle Elson, and Kristen Strum.
