With the first day of summer only two weeks away, one of Cullman’s newest — and most popular — annual traditions is set to revive tomorrow, when streets around the city’s historic depot area close to make way for the first of this year’s “Second Fridays” outdoor parties.

Organized by the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce and Cullman Parks and Recreation, Second Fridays is bigger, more organized, and more diverse than ever before.

The summer-long series, which takes over First Avenue in the Warehouse District on — you guessed it — the second Friday of each summer month, will sport new themes, new attractions, more sponsors, and more live music than last year’s plenty-successful version.

To get things kicked off Friday, there’ll be two stages of live music, two kids’ zones, a brand-new Artists’ Alley featuring locally-made work in different media — along with pop-ups shops, and a 10-team cornhole competition.

This year’s Second Fridays will run through 10 p.m. each month, with businesses holding extended shopping hours alongside on-site food and crafts vendors.

If the month-by-month momentum of last year’s run of Second Fridays is anything to go by, perhaps the biggest draw — the popular car show that provides a unique visual backdrop for the whole event — will be back, and it’ll be bigger. Joining the cars for the first time this year will be boats and other watercraft, thanks to a pair of area dealers who’ve signed on to provide even more eye candy.

As always, there’s no admission fee for Second Fridays. Just show up, bring your family and friends, and spend as much or as little as you like. Organizers encourage guests to bring their own chairs and set up shop for a relaxed evening of music, food, friendship and fun.

Courtesy of Cullman Park & Rec, here’s a bullet-list rundown of what’ll be on tap tomorrow:

– Avenue G Band on the Dairy Queen Grill & Chill Restaurant Stage

– Vince Lambert on the Shirley Quattlebaum State Farm Insurance Agent Stage

– Artist Alley with music, art and pop-up shops

– The return of the Branham Accessories/Line-X antique and classic car Cruise-In

– TriGreen Equipment Farm Y’all at the Festhalle Farmers Market

– The Buffalo Wild Wings Kids’ Zone

– Food demonstrations sponsored by American Proteins, Inc.

– Show Lot featuring boats from Russell Marine and Trident Marina

O.F. Richter and Sons, Inc. 10-team Cornhole Competition

For more information on Second Fridays, visit cullmanrecreation.org/2nd-fridays and follow the event all summer at 2ndFridaysCullman on Facebook.

 

Benjamin Bullard can be reached by phone at 256-734-2131 ext. 145.