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Downtown Series Begins Again Tonight
The Jonesboro Sun - July 19, 2002
By KELLIE BARDIS
A portion of Main Street will be closed Friday and Saturday nights this summer to open up the downtown area to the community.
From 6:30-11:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Main Street will be closed from Washington to Huntington avenues as part of a new entertainment series sponsored by Kent Arnold. The series, which will feature free concerts by local musicians, will continue through September.
The purpose of the series is to create a community atmosphere. "Community is very hard to find these days even in your own neighborhood," Arnold said.
Arnold approached Nancy Chrisman, executive director of the Jonesboro Central Planning Association, two months ago about establishing the downtown area as a gathering place.
"My vision for the downtown is for it to become what it used to be -- a pedestrian location where people can come and walk around," he said.
The pair have talked with restaurant owners, who are supporting the project.
"We think it will enhance their business because it may bring people down here who have not really thought about these restaurants being opened at night. We want them to remember there is an alternative downtown," Chrisman said. They then brought the idea before the Downtown Jonesboro Association board.
Chrisman said she believes the street closing will allow people to sit around and visit in a casual way.
"As Jonesboro has grown, we can go for weeks without visiting with our friends and neighbors in a 'serendipity' way. We are so accustomed to visiting only by scheduled invitations or chance encounters in restaurants and stores that we have lost the enjoyment of casual, neighborly get-togethers.
"We believe we are contributing to the very foundation of community spirit by offering a time and space on a regular basis where people know they can come at their leisure, stay as long as they like, see many friends and acquaintances in a casual setting, and be entertained in the process," she said.
The series began last weekend, but the rain put a damper on it. Those scheduled to perform today include the blues duo Tim Hoggard and Matt Pierce beginning around 6:30 p.m., followed by Bruce Page and the Blues Heavyweights. Saturday's concert will also begin at 6:30 p.m. and feature The Tiny Kings, followed by the Michael Ethridge Band.
The series will culminate with the Downtown Jonesboro Association's "Rockin' on the Ridge" music festival, which will be Sept. 27-28 in downtown Jonesboro.
Musicians interested in performing may contact Greg Arnold at 932-7529.
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