By Rick Palsgrove
Southeast Editor
There’s something special happening this summer in downtown Groveport.
Beginning June 4, the first of four First Tuesday events will begin for the season in front of Groveport Elementary, 715 Main St., and near ACE Hardware. First Tuesday features food trucks, live music, vendors, the Farmer’s Market, and activities for all ages. Vendors will be in the semi-circle drive at Groveport Elementary School and food trucks will be in the green space near Ace Hardware on Main Street.
Each First Tuesday date will have its own theme. The First Tuesday schedule (Hours are 4-7 p.m.):
•June 4 – Family Farm Day featuring sunflowers seeds for the first 50 kids to take home and start a garden, petting zoo, old fashioned tractors, and adult craft hour.
•July 2 – Red, White & Kids featuring a kids parade at 6 p.m., shaved ice, and bounce house.
“Celebrate by dressing your children up in red, white, and blue and decorate their bikes, scooters, or wagons for the kids parade,” said Groveport Community Affairs Director Patty Storts.
•Aug. 6 – Dog Days including a dog show, pet vendors, and adoptable pets.
•Sept. 3 – Go Cruisers Day featuring the Cruiser marching band, Cruiserettes, and cheerleaders.
“The themes are the same as last year’s themes with the exception of Go Cruisers Day,” said Jessica Reeves, Groveport public relations/communications coordinator. “Red, White, and Kid’s Celebration and Dog Days were both very popular themes last year with a great turnout.”
Reeves said the live music will be acoustic.
“The performer on June 4 is Peter Conrad,” said Reeves. “He plays oldies, country, and folk.”
Reeves said the food trucks at First Tuesday will be Curbside Dish, Taquitos, Schmidt’s, Queen’s Table, and M & S Grub Hub.
“There will be different combinations of these food trucks at each First Tuesday depending on their availability,” said Reeves.
In addition to the four First Tuesday events, the Groveport Farmers Market will be held every Tuesday from June 4 through Sept. 10 from 4-7 p.m. in the grassy area near Ace Hardware on Main St. For information call 614-836-3333.
“Events like First Tuesday and the Farmer’s Market help generate interest in the downtown area and create a vitality for the district,” said Groveport Development Director Jeff Green. “While this event will start on a smaller scale, as it grows, it will hopefully incorporate more of the downtown area. These events are just another way to put ‘feet on the street.’”
Green said local businesses are encouraged to participate in the First Tuesday event in any way possible.
“For the first year, at least, we are not charging vendors a fee to participate,” said Green. “Businesses may opt to offer a First Tuesday special or even set up a table at the event site. It’s really up to businesses to find ways to be a part and to get their name out to people attending the events.”
Added Reeves, “First Tuesday is another opportunity to bring the community together to celebrate hometown pride, connect with local vendors, and potentially attract new businesses to the downtown area.”
