By DAVID DUPONT
BG Independent News
A group of businesswomen want to light up downtown Bowling Green this summer.
After conversations of what can be done to bring visitors to the downtown during the summer doldrums, Laura Wicks, of Grounds for Thought, Stacie Banfield, of Mode Elle Boutique, Kati Thompson, Eden Fashion Boutique, and Gayle Walterbach, of Coyote Beads, banded together to launch Firefly Nights.
The summer time series will get off to a running start with a run/walk through downtown on May 18 at 9 p.m. Firefly Nights will continue with evenings full of music, food, shopping and kids activities on the third Friday of each summer month – June 15, July 20, and Aug. 17 – from 6 to 10 p.m.
“We want to foster a diverse, neighborly and lively atmosphere in downtown BG,” Thompson said. “That’s the intent and sole focus.”
Main Street will be blocked off from the intersection of Court Street to the intersection of Washington. There’ll be music stages at each end featuring area music acts. Banfield said they plan to feature four to six acts each night. The organizers hope to attract some craft booths, and possibly a farmers market.
Downtown stores would remain open and could have sidewalk sales. “We’re hoping to get restaurants to provide some kind of dining experience,” Banfield said.
“We’re coming off the success of the Chocolate Crawl,” Thompson said. “So many people said they loved being downtown at night and experiencing so many places they didn’t know were here.”
That event held in conjunction with Winterfest to benefit United Way of Wood County sold 400 tickets. People cruised through 18 stops to sample sweet goodies.
Walterbach said they hope to attract two to three times that many people.
“People who are always looking for fun things to do in the summer, so we’re hoping it attracts people not just from Bowling Green but from surrounding communities,” Thompson said.
So far the response from downtown merchants has been good, as had the response from the city and Downtown Bowling Green.
The Black Swamp Arts Festival has pioneered the way for such events, Walterbach said.
The organizers are still looking for sponsors, with sponsorships ranging from $500 to $5000 for a presenting sponsor.
Registration for the Firefly run/walk has begun. Click to register . Firefly Nights also needs volunteers. Email fireflynightsbg@gmail.com to volunteer.
With the event still taking shape, more information will be forthcoming.
