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April 18, 2008

Free downtown party Friday

By Jamie Jones

Downtown Dalton is hosting a party Friday night. And you’re invited.

The free party is being coordinated by the Downtown Dalton Development Authority and will include booths from several businesses, music from the Buckner Brothers and activities for children. The event will be held at the intersection of Crawford and Hamilton streets from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.

“We were just trying to think of something to do downtown,” said Veronica French, marketing director for the DDDA. “We wanted it to be free, easy and include all of the downtown merchants. Really, we just wanted to get the public downtown to do something fun.”

The Dalton Depot will operate a beer garden, and food — boiled peanuts, chicken wings and popcorn — will be available. There is a charge for the beer. Several vendors will give out free product samples, French said.

Free face painting, an inflatable slide and a clown will be on hand to entertain children.

French said the DDDA plans to host monthly parties each May, June and July.

The Buckner Brothers band was formed in 1979, took some breaks through the years and got back together in 1996. The Dalton-based group has performed with several artists including Billy Joe Royal, Jack Hall and Wet Willie, Tommy Talton (of Cowboy and the Greg Allman Band) and Monty Powell.

The party is planned despite acrimony among the DDDA, Dalton Mayor David Pennington and some downtown business owners over the special tax levied on downtown property owners to fund the DDDA. Pennington and some business owners have called for an elimination of the 3 mill tax, while DDDA board members are hesitant to cut the tax without the city council’s assurance of funding.

The party isn’t the only event happening downtown next week.

The city and the DDDA are inviting residents 21 and older to take part in the Downtown Sampler on Thursday night from 7 to 10. For a $20 ticket, residents can taste food and wine from eight downtown restaurants. Attendees can follow an itinerary or go at their own pace. Tickets are available from the DDDA in City Hall or at the restaurants: Blues Train, Dalton Depot, Iron Gate Pizza, Let’s Eat In, Oakwood Café, Peacock Alley, Pentz Street Station and Planet of the Grapes.

Both events are part of Georgia Cities Week and its theme “Living It Up Downtown.”



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What: Downtown Dalton Party

When: Friday from 7:30 to 10 p.m.

Where: Downtown Dalton at the intersection of Crawford and Hamilton streets

Admission: Free

Events: Music by the Buckner Brothers, booths from several downtown merchants and activities for children

Information: Call the Downtown Dalton Development Authority at (706) 278-3332

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