First Thursday launches today in Colfax

The first of Colfax’s ‘First Thursday’ events is booked today with a full slate of vendors and fun for a Bingo Block Party. First Thursday events begin at 3 p.m. and conclude at 6:30 p.m.

Valoree Gregory, Colfax’s unified executive director, said she is excited to see how the First Thursday shebang pans out.

“We hope it goes well. Since we’ve never really done it before, we don’t know,” she said. “But we’ve got the word out there, and we hope people will come out. It will be something fun to do with kids and family and gets people downtown.”

Gregory said several vendors will be on hand downtown with “everything from fresh eggs, to produce, to crafters.” Downtown businesses will also stay open later than normal.

A group of high school students has been scheduled to play on stage on Spring Street between the library and the bank. Gregory added that pre-recorded music will be played when the band is taking breaks. Spring Street will also be closed during the First Thursday events.

Participating businesses will have bingo numbers for customers. Those interested can collect bingo numbers from each of the businesses to fill out a bingo card and return it to the Explore Colfax booth on Spring Street. Returned cards will be eligible for a $100 prize.

Gregory said the flashlight tours planned for the evening are also beginning to fill up. The flashlight tours this month will include the upstairs of the Masonic Temple, the Fair building and the space above Dr. Kirkpatrick’s office.

“I went into the Masonic Temple a few days ago during the day, and it was creepy!” Gregory said.

The flashlight tours are scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. by meeting at the Explore Colfax booth on Spring Street. Gregory said it is not too late to sign up to participate in those, either by going online to http://www.explorecolfax.com or by showing up at the booth. The cost to participate in the tour for all three buildings is $10, and the money raised from the tours will go toward the Downtown Association, Gregory said.

Those interested in being a vendor for future First Thursdays can contact Mike Rizzitiello at Colfax City Hall. Vendor cost is a $15 peddlers fee to the city, and that cost will cover a vendor for an entire year, Gregory said.

The next First Thursday event is July 7 with the theme “Red, White and Win!”