LUCEDALE — What started as an effort to bring more shoppers to downtown Lucedale has grown into a community gathering that draws an estimated 2,000 people to Main Street for music, food and family activities.
Second Saturday began in 2017 and closes Main Street to traffic for an evening of vendors, entertainment and shopping.
Nan Jemison, vice president of the Downtown Merchants of Lucedale, became involved after opening her children’s boutique on Main Street in 2015. Her daughter, who owned a women’s boutique, helped start the event.
“It was organized to bring more retail business traffic, fun, exposure and excitement to our city,” Jemison said.
Second Saturday features craft vendors, food trucks, live music, face painting and balloon artists. Local dance teams sometimes perform, and downtown stores remain open throughout the evening.
“Our Main Street is closed to traffic and it is a wonderful family-friendly event,” Jemison said. “It’s a great night to bring your family and see everyone in the community.”
Jemison said children play with hula hoops, bubbles and sidewalk chalk in the courtyard outside her store.
As Second Saturday has grown, she said, organizing the event requires more coordination for vendors and volunteers.
“Getting food trucks, music and vendors signed up and positioned in the right spots takes some work,” Jemison said.
According to the Downtown Merchants of Lucedale, police block off the street, the city helps with cleanup, and local churches, banks, businesses, the arts committee and the George County Chamber of Commerce provide activities.
“The event brings our community together,” Jemison said. “People come from all areas, so it has increased exposure to our businesses and what we have to offer.”
The next Second Saturday is schedule for October 10.
This article first appeared on RHCJC and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
