“I like to watch the water fountains and the music,” 8-year-old Heather said.
The Center City Association kicked off its third season of Downtown Sounds last week.
The free, weekly concert series features local musicians from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesdays through Aug. 18. This week featured jazz musicians Larry Halpern and Gail Keen and next week Mulligan Stew with Richard Carey and Tyler Detrick will play.
Other performers include Witt Free and Left Hand Hold.
Several downtown restaurants also offer specials, sell boxed lunches, bring samples or deliver meals.
The program showcases a beautiful downtown venue, the restaurants there and local musicians, said Maureen Fagans, Center City executive director.
“It’s a great opportunity for people to experience all that,” she said.
Attendance has grown, she said. Last year Downtown Sounds averaged about 80 people each week and the first performance this year attracted about 100.
Lavern Nissley and his wife, Ronda, work on North Limestone Street and brought camping chairs down to the plaza on Wednesday. They like to bring a lunch, see friends there and catch some sunshine during the day.
“It’s enjoyable,” he said. “If it’s nice weather, it’s nice to stretch your legs a little bit.”
Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0363 or ssommer@coxohio.com.
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