This content was originally published by the Longmont Observer and is licensed under a Creative Commons license.
By Colin Argys at the Longmont Downtown Development Authority
Longmont’s Downtown Creative District will be hosting the all-new Downtown Block Party on Saturday, August 26th from 1-6 p.m. The Party will make it fun for people to explore the whole Downtown District and will feature activities and entertainment throughout the breezeways, alleys, sidewalks, and businesses. Highlights will include the second annual Downtown Amazing Race, a community scavenger hunt, a Downtown fashion and hair showcase, dance performances, sidewalk sales, an artisan market, roaming performers and entertainers, dance, drama and theatre performances, and a health and wellness treatment area, in addition to entertainment, sales, specials and promotions inside Downtown businesses.
Longmont United Hospital's second annual Amazing Race will feature two-person teams following clues to various Downtown businesses and locations. Each stop will feature a five to ten-minute challenge which the teams will have to complete before receiving a new clue and moving on to find the next location. The race will begin at 2 PM, and will feature roughly 15 different challenges along the way. The first team to complete all the challenges and make it to the finish line will win! Teams will receive t-shirts and will be competing for a $250 grand prize valid at Downtown Longmont businesses. The entry fee is $30 total for each two-person team, and teams must sign up in advance.
For those who would like a more relaxed and self-paced way to explore Downtown and still compete for prizes, there will be a Downtown Scavenger Hunt open to anyone during the Block Party. Various historical and noteworthy signs, features and details will be highlighted throughout the District for people to find. Individuals who complete the scavenger hunt will be entered into a giveaway drawing for prizes.
Another exciting part of the Block Party will be the Downtown fashion and hair showcase on 5th Avenue. From 2-4:30, local clothing and accessory stores, as well as salons and barbershops, will send their best, brightest and most diverse looks down the runway stage. Participating businesses include Deluxe Barbers, Crystal Joys, Inspire Salon, Rockin’ Robins, Longmont Yarn Shoppe, Ivy Rose (coming soon to Downtown), and a finale from the kids’ sewing classes from Inspiration Art Academy. BBP is also putting together a showcase of local businesses’ branded merchandize to be shown off during the fashion show.
On Longs Peak Ave., Dance Dimensions will host dance performances from many Longmont dance studios. Performances will occur throughout the whole Block Party from 1-6 p.m. Check out the Dance Dimensions stage at Longs Peak just west of Main St. and see just how many young, talented dancers Longmont is fortunate to have.
In the 300 East alley, Yore is putting on their Artisan Maker’s Market featuring more than 30 local artisan vendors. The market will feature an immense and eclectic variety of creative, useful and unique goods available for purchase throughout the day. This will be an incredible set-up showcasing the newest and coolest goods around!
In the 400 West breezeway, Be Well Bodyworks will host a health and wellness treatment area for folks to sit back, relax, and soothe their mind, body, and soul. Around a dozen practitioners will offer services at a reduced price - $1/minute - to help partygoers refresh, relax and rejuvenate.
The 500 West alley will be transformed into our ‘tech alley’ with multiple tech and robotics groups set to educate and entertain. The St. Vrain Valley School District’s Innovation Center will be on hand, along with La Casa de la Esperanza Learning Center’s robotics program, and QuestBotics. Longmont Power and Communications will also be setting up their high- powered live-line demonstration. The 500 West alley will be an electric atmosphere with lots to spark your interest and creativity. Up-a-Creek Robotics will also be bringing a larger robotics set-up and will be located on Longs Peak Ave. between Main St. and Coffman St., just past the Dance Dimensions stage.
Dizzy Family Fun center will be setting up various attractions throughout alleys downtown. Bring the kids out for some good old-fashioned bounce house, slide and obstacle course fun! There will also be an outdoor game area featuring giant chess, giant connect-4, a variety of bean bag toss games and more. Airborne Gymnastics will be bringing their ninja-style obstacle course for adventurous kids to give it a shot.
In the 300 East breezeway, local artists will be hosting Arts Longmont studio tours, as well as showing off their talents and latest endeavors – from chalk art to comic books and beyond.
Local photographer Lisa Patchem hosted a Downtown Photo Challenge for a select few photographers, and folks will be given the ability to choose their favorites in the 500 West breezeway during the Block Party.
Fuzz Music Studios will host various group and individual music performances around the district during the Block Party. There will be a community music stage in the 300 East alley featuring Taylor Shae, Fuzz Music Studios, Squeaky Wheel and the Water Bear, Brett Funk and Jackson Cloud Band; music at the Experience Building (471 Main St.) from Brian Rezac, Charlee and Her Bad Choices, Emma Kieran, and Renegade Rooster String Band; a performance area at the 6th Avenue Plaza with BreAnne Meyer and Timothy Jones, among others; and musicians roaming throughout downtown –in breezeways, alleyways and on sidewalks.
If that’s not enough to strike your fancy, there will be even more happening during the Block Party to keep you entertained and exploring all afternoon! St. Stephens’ Plaza at 5th and Main will host performances from the Longmont Chorale Singers as well as other performance groups. Erie H.S. and Skyline H.S. drama programs will be giving short preview performances of upcoming shows in the 500 West alley and beyond. And of course, there will be many booth vendors with various interactive activities, games, prizes, and giveaways!
The night before the Block Party will be our final Downtown Summer Concert of the year, featuring Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal fresh off an appearance on NBC’s The Voice. As usual, it’s free to attend and will feature many different downtown food and beverage vendors. Come hang out at 4th and Kimbark for your last chance to dance in the street in 2017!
Come on down(town) and join the Party! For more information, and to sign up for the Amazing Race, visit www.downtownlongmont.com/calendar/downtown-block-party
