By MARIA RAKOCZY

MADISON – A new summer event kicked off last month in downtown Madison an will be making a return on June 16. Third Thursdays is a fun, family-friendly street party taking place every third Thursday of the month through August. The event is the combined work of The Shoppes of Downtown Madison, “a collaborative effort of multiple businesses located in downtown Madison,” according to a press release.

Co-owner of the Lemon and Lavender store, Brandy Booth, hopes these events bring awareness to the area and the businesses of Madison: “We have customers on a regular basis come into our store who are new to the area and had no idea downtown Madison even existed.”

The shops on Main Street and Church Street are open for extended hours until 8 p.m. on these Thursdays. Additionally, Third Thursdays offers a venue for local pop-up vendors and small-businesses of all sorts including food trucks, home goods, and art.

“We are appreciative of both The City of Madison and The Madison Chamber for all the work they do to support downtown. It’s the heart of Madison, and we want to continue the history of the birthplace of Madison. As Madison continues to grow, we want all residents to know that downtown Madison has so much to offer,” Booth further shared.

Third Thursdays is an opportunity for families to enjoy an evening outside of shopping, dining, and entertainment while supporting local businesses. The events start at 6 p.m. and go until 8 p.m. on June 16, July 21, and August 18. During these times, Main Street is closed to traffic and open for pedestrians to walk freely around the main drag of downtown Madison.

For updates and additional event information, The Shoppes of Downtown Madison can be found on social media at Facebook and Instagram.