Maifest, White Lion Wednesdays and cruise nights coming to downtown

May 18, 2018 | G. Michael Dobbs
news@thereminder.com

SPRINGFIELD  – Downtown will be alive with summer activities starting this weekend.

On May 19 and 20, Rays of Hope will be presenting its first Maifest Block party to raise funds for the organization supporting the search for a cure to breast cancer.

The two-day event will take place regardless of the weather on Fort Street as well as inside the Student Prince restaurant. The cost is $15 for adults, which includes a stein of beer. Children under 12 are free.

Mayor Domenic Sarno will tap the first keg of the special Maifest beer at 5:45 p.m. on May 18.

The Maifest will include a number of musical performances with Karaoke with Red aka The German Giant and Brass Attack on May 18.

On May 19 the schedule:

• 12-3 p.m. Family entertainment on stage; popcorn; cotton candy; kids hair stylist (Courtyard); cupcake decorating station (Courtyard); Home Depot kids project (Courtyard); face painter (Courtyard); Maypole fun for kids; magician/balloon artist (Courtyard);

• 3 - 6 p.m. HEAT cover band (Main Stage)

• 5:30-7:30 p.m. Rock102 Bax & Road Crew

• 6 - 7 p.m. Stein Hoisting Competition

• 6 -10 p.m.  Karaoke with Red a.k.a. The German Giant

• 7 -11 p.m. Trailer Trash band (Main Stage)

The Springfield Business Improvement District (BID) has also announced its entertainment activities for the summer.

Beginning this May 14 and going   through August 27 Cruise Nights will return to Court Square. This season the BID will be collecting donations to benefit Square One and the 911 Memorial Monument. On Sept. 10 Cruise Nights will move from Court Square to MGM Springfield Plaza Cruise Nights and will continue through Sept. 24. Bridget Delaney of the BID said DJ Bruce Marshall will provide music from The Valley’s Classic Hits 97.7 FM playing classic hits.

White Lion Wednesdays returns on May 23 and will run through Sept. 12.  The event alternates between several locations: One Financial Plaza at 1350 Main St., The Shops at Marketplace, the recently renovated Monarch Plaza Patio and The MGM Springfield Plaza.  The free event features craft brew, food and music. Musical acts that have been booked so far include Grayson Ty, Alex Tuohey, Amanda and Amelia, Floyd Patterson, Tom Ingram and Eagle Eyes.

The Downtown Farmers’ Market starts, May 18 and runs through Oct. 26.  This year Stony Hill Farms and Ministry’s will join returning vendors. The market runs from 11a.m. -3 p.m. in the park opposite Tower Square. Use of the park has been generously donated by CBRE-NE, Tower Square Management.

Delaney said of the popular concerts once conducted in Stearns Square, “Stearns Square will not be held this season in downtown due to park renovations but stay tuned because we will be hosting our second annual Springfield Jam Fest this September.”

For hours and locations for all of these SBID events and more please visit springfielddowntown.com.

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