Merchants hosting ‘Third Saturday Downtown’ summer series

Local music, classic cars and past arts are part of what downtown Trussville will have to offer this summer. The Trussville Downtown Merchants Association will host a three-month series called “3rd Saturday Downtown” – June 17, July 15and Aug. 19.

Greg Carroll, owner of Carroll’s Pharmacy and president of the Downtown Merchants Association, said the summer series will take place rain or shine and is all about “food trucks, family and fun.”

“Basically it’s a new and improved version of what we did last August,”Carroll said. 

Last summer, downtown business leaders hosted their first event with a three-hour Trussville Downtown Block Party, with food trucks and extended shopping hours. This year’s events will begin at 2 p.m. and go to 8 p.m. Both members and nonmembers of the Trussville Downtown Merchants Association plan to participate, according to Carroll.

“The idea is to promote downtown and what all businesses and activities are offered downtown,” he said. “We want to get people used to shopping in a friendly, casual atmosphere where it’s safe to walk and bring your family down for a few hours to shop and eat and have a goodtime downtown.”

While food trucks will be at each month’s event at the old Sticks ‘N Stuff vacant lot (156 Main St.), each month will have a different theme. 

June 17 is focused on local music and local talent. A stage will be set up at the food trucks area, while various shops are expected to have local talent present. Food vendors confirmed for the June event include Off the Hook, Eugene’s Hot Chicken and Bendie’s Cookies and Cream, which all participated in last summer’s event. Additions include Old Towne Pizza and Pop’s Cool Spot.

July 15 will be a downtown sock hop with merchants dressed in ’50s attire and a classic car show at the food area, similar to lastsummer’s block party. 

The third Saturday in August will highlight local artists and folk crafts from theTrussville area. 

“Whether it be a blacksmith, an artist or a gardener — it can be anything to do with times gone by that they’re passionate about,” Carroll said. “We want to have an educational setting throughout the downtown district and the different merchants.”

A list of local talent and artists was not available at press time. For updates, go to Trussville Downtown Merchants Association on Facebook, or emailtrussvilledowntown@gmail.com.