First Fridays in Downtown Springfield to bring a summer-ready feel

If you haven’t made it out for a First Friday yet this year, June 3 might be one to mark your calendar for. 

June’s Downtown out-and-about event will include a stage set up on City Hall Plaza to feature live musical performances, says John Kelly, the Greater Springfield Partnership‘s downtown events programmer. 

After the success of the outdoor ice rink in the same area on City Hall Plaza during the winter weeks of Holiday in the City, Kelly says he’s hoping the live music will bring First Friday attendees to enjoy the space during warm-weather months just as much.

The on-the-plaza portion of First Fridays on June 3 will go from 5 to 8 p.m., with the first band – New Moons – set to begin around 5:30 p.m. and the second band – Dreamland – set to start playing around 7 p.m. 

“And after the First Friday celebration on the plaza, people can find more live music at COhatch or at Station 1 or at Mother’s, or they can visit Hatch Artist Studios, which will be open,” Kelly says. “It will just really be a good Downtown hop, with so many options.”

The Plaza is within Downtown Springfield’s Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA), which allows alcoholic beverages to be taken from participating businesses throughout the zone.

Also on the plaza, Kelly says there will be a hot dog vendor. And, anyone interested in other food options can grab a bit from elsewhere around town and bring it along with them. Lawn chairs are welcome for the Plaza concerts.

“As we do more and more events Downtown, there will always be new businesses, new pieces of public art installed, new restaurants,” Kelly says. “So we encourage people to come out and get an updated look at everything. Take time to go explore.”