DECATUR, Ala. — On Friday, April 21, Downtown Decatur welcomes back the 2023 3rd Friday season and each month through October, the immersive community experience showcases all that downtown Decatur has to offer while filling the streets with classic cars, live music, shopping and other free family fun. Hours for the monthly street party celebration are 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. and admission is free.
Downtown Decatur 3rd Friday invites locals and visitors to spend an evening downtown enjoying family-friendly entertainment. During the monthly street party, antique cars are parked on Second Avenue between Lee and Moulton streets and music fills the air as line dancers cut a rug in the intersection of Moulton Street. Children are treated to a variety of activities, including giant checkers, giant Jenga, cornhole, a video game truck, balloon animals and an interactive tent with the Cook Museum of Natural Science and Decatur Public Library, in the kids zone located in the block from Johnston Street to Grant Street.
Live music is a staple each month and slated to headline this month’s event is Americana Recording Artist Bluewater Revival.
Each month offers a different theme and activities. Below is a tentative schedule:
April: Bike Night
May: Up Up and Away Young Entrepreneur Night
June: Downtown Disco
July: Dog Days
August: Nonprofit Night
September: Positively Decatur Night
October: Fall Fest
Festival goers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or they may want to check out the front porch offered by Merit House for a great view of one of 3rd Friday’s popular attraction, a mechanical bull. The ride will be located in front of Absaroka and cost is $5/ride. For those arriving hungry, festivalgoers have the choice of one of several locally-owned restaurants and food trucks will be set up on Grant Street with tables and chairs available for patrons to sit and enjoy their food.
In addition, shoppers can catch store specials, giveaways and discounts at select downtown merchants and there will be craft vendors, artists and artesian goods vendors selling handmade items in the area of Second Avenue from Moulton Street to Johnston Street where festival goers can browse and purchase unique items. On select months, the Morgan County/Decatur Farmers Market will offer mini markets to give a snippet into what will be available on Saturday mornings.
Organized by the Downtown Merchants and Business Association, 3rd Friday is concentrated in the 2nd Avenue area only (including Holly Street, Moulton Street, Johnston Street and Grant Street). Beginning at 4:30 p.m. streets will begin to be blocked and will be closed to traffic from 5:30 until 8:30 p.m. Second Avenue from Gordon Drive to Lee Street and Moulton Street from First Avenue to Goody 2 Shoes will be closed. The cross streets, Johnston and Grant streets will be closed before the intersections at Second Avenue in order for guests to have access to the public parking lots.