For Hub City Times

MARSHFIELD — Third Thursdays was created two years ago, when it originally debuted as Third Tuesdays, as a way to help promote the businesses and increase foot traffic in downtown Marshfield. During the July 2015 event alone, there was roughly $2,589 in sales between the hours 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. and an increase in foot traffic by more than 50 percent compared to the June 2015 event.

The 2016 series of Third Thursdays generated similar sales percentages and increases in foot traffic.

Past Third Thursdays have included live music, activities such as face painting and caricatures, special promotions at local businesses, and the promise that shops will be open late.

The 2017 Third Thursday season will be no different but will feature more food. Participating vendors will have ice cream, kettle corn, roasted almonds, and other treats.

Third Thursday 2017 events run from 5-7 p.m. on June 15, July 20, Aug. 17, and Sept. 21.

Fourth annual Summer Block Party

For the past three years, Main Street Marshfield has hosted a Summer Block Party as a way to celebrate the beginning of summer and highlight the downtown community.

This year’s Summer Block Party will again be on the 300 block of South Central Avenue and will take place June 16 from 7-11 p.m. Rising Phoenix, a high energy central Wisconsin rock band that plays ‘70s and ‘80s music, will hit the main stage at 7:30 p.m.

Main Street Marshfield’s Executive Director Angie Eloranta said, “We’re very excited to have Rising Phoenix play at this year’s Summer Block Party. There were a lot of great bands to choose from, but with help from the local community, we were able to narrow it down based on their feedback on Facebook.”

More than 100 people provided feedback to Main Street Marshfield regarding the type of bands they were interested in seeing play at this year’s Summer Block Party.

“The outpouring of suggestions for bands this year was amazing. It’s great to see the community taking an interest in our downtown events,” Eloranta added.

In addition to the music, the Masonic Lodge No. 224 will be grilling up burgers, brats, and hot dogs.

While the majority of the 300 block will be fenced in to create an area for the beer tent, there will be some seating along the side of the street for families interested in seeing the band perform as well.

Central Avenue from Third to Fourth Street will be closed to traffic starting at 5 p.m.

For more information on Third Thursdays or the block party, call the Main Street Marshfield office at 715-387-3299.