By DAVID DUPONT
BG Independent News
The second season of Firefly Nights summer festivals kicked off Friday night with the 5K run/walk.
Organizers estimate more than 270 runners participated in the event. Decked out with glowing bands, the runners and walkers stepped off at 9 p.m.
That’s a significant increase over the 193 runners who participated last year. “We’re exceptionally pleased,” said Laura Wicks, a member of the organizing committee
And while Mathew Cheboi, a Kenyan runner who trains with Dave’s Running in Perrysburg, came in first in the race, the event itself was a winner. The weather was in the 60s, and dry, aside from a few isolated rain drops.
Stacie Banfield, one of the organizers, said that the run is important because it provides needed funds to support the festival. Beside the sponsorships and fees paid by street vendors, this is the main fundraiser.
“And it brings a ton of awareness,” Banfield said.
Wicks, Banfield, Katie Thompson and Gayle Walterbach are the quartet of downtown business women who conceived of the idea.
As with last year the summer festivals will be presented the third Friday of the summer months — June 21, July 19, Aug. 16 — and then, after a month’s break, return for a fall festival on Oct. 18.
From 6 to 10 p.m. each evening, the events will feature vendors, a beer garden, musical performers, food trucks, and kids activities as well as dining and shopping in downtown establishments.
Bands featured on June 21 will be: Drew Joseph, 6 p.m.; Vester Frey, 7p.m.; The Barn Cats, 8 p.m.; and Corduroy Road, 9 p.m.
