Truckee Thursdays has become a Truckee favorite and summer mainstay. The 10-week series, which starts June 17, was launched three years ago by the Truckee Downtown Merchants Association in an effort to highlight and revitalize the town and underscore a ‘Think Local’ mentality. Offering a host of children’s activities, live music, art, the Foothills Farmers Market, a beer garden and vendors of every ilk, this lively, weekly event is a must-do for Thursday nights.
‘It’s something the community really responds to,’ said event manager Andy Mond. ‘Truckee Thursdays is an event that truly brings alive the Think Local, Be Local, Buy Local premise in a low-key way that is fun and entertaining for the whole family.’
With free parking, folks stroll through the downtown district, popping into its interesting shops, sampling food and wine, listening to music at the train depot and catching up with friends and neighbors. Partnering with KidZone Museum, kid-friendly activities abound including a bounce house, arts and crafts and much more.
This year, the event will have an even more relaxed, street fair feel with the town council’s decision to close Commercial Row to vehicular traffic between Bridge and Spring streets during the entire series.
‘The number one reason behind the request was safety,’ Mond said. ‘Many people with children voiced concern about traffic at the venue. It makes sense to close the road. The event has grown to the point of needing to be contained in a pedestrian-only area.’
The merchants estimate that 7,000 folks attended Truckee Thursdays last summer and event organizers expect a significant increase this year. The summer-long event is funded by the Truckee Downtown Merchants Association, the Town of Truckee, DBI Beverage, and through sponsorships and participating vendor fees. Free parking will be available in the JAX and Beacon lots, as well as areas around the event perimeter beginning at 5 p.m. every Thursday.
For more information about participating in Downtown Truckee Thursdays either as a vendor, entertainer, non-profit, or sponsor, contact info@truckeethursdays.com.
