'Dog Days of Summer' come to downtown Adrian today for First Fridays
ADRIAN — The unsung heroes of our homes, our dogs, will be celebrated during downtown Adrian’s August edition of First Fridays, scheduled from 5 to 8 p.m. today. First Fridays for today is themed “Dog Days of Summer.”
As Adrian “goes to the dogs,” corresponding events include a pet parade, group photos, contests and several chances to win prizes. While First Fridays events do not start until about 5:30 p.m., several downtown streets will close beginning at 2:30 p.m., the city of Adrian said in a news release. Streets are expected to reopen to motorists at approximately 11 p.m.
The following streets and parking lots are to be closed to the public:
West Maumee Street, from North Broad to North Winter streets.
North Main Street, from East Church to East Front streets.
Washburn Street, a half-block closure to North Main Street.
Toledo Street, a half-block closure to North Main Street.
Toledo Street Pavilion parking lot.
Partial closure of Winter Street parking lot, behind Citizens Gas.
The lineup for the pet parade and a group photo is at 5:30 p.m. behind The Wagley Group, 121 N. Main St., in the parking lot off North Winter Street. Registration to have a dog in the parade is not required and costumes are not required, either, although they are encouraged. The pet parade is expected to begin at 6 p.m. with Adrian College’s mascot, Bruiser, members of the college’s cheer team and Siena Heights University’s mascot, Halo, leading the parade.
Pet contests begin at 6:30 p.m. immediately following the parade in the grassy lot of the former Jean Christopher building at the corner of Winter and Maumee streets. This year’s costume contests are sponsored by the First Presbyterian Church of Adrian with prizes donated by Tasty Treats of Adrian. Contest categories include best homemade costume, most original costume, cutest costume and funniest costume. Judges for the contest include Adrian Mayor Angie Sword Heath, veterinarian Mike Herr from the Adrian Animal Clinic and local dog trainer Ted Aranda.
First Presbyterian Church, 156 E. Maumee St., will also be offering free snow cones and water. It will also have additional activities for pets.
The pie-eating contest, presented by the Lenawee Humane Society, which is open to both humans and their dogs, is the final event of the dog-themed evening. There will be three eating contest categories: small dogs, medium dogs and large dogs with a prize for each category.
“Line up with your dog, grab a whipped cream filled plate, wait for the green flag from one of the volunteers, then slurp away to see which dynamic duo finishes first,” a news release from the Wagley Group said.
“Pawsports,” provided by The Wagley Group, the Lenawee Humane Society, the First Presbyterian Church and several additional downtown businesses, can be stamped up to five times before 8 p.m. for the chance to win a Yeti prize package or gift cards to downtown businesses. Pawsports will also be available at the First Fridays information tent.
The Adrian Cruise-In Car Show, sponsored by Nova’s Soda Pop and Candy Shop, will be another highlight of the evening. Several bands and musicians will be performing throughout downtown Adrian and in businesses:
The Rusty Nail Band will perform from 6 to 8 p.m. at the corner of South Main and Church streets.
The Midwest Homegrown Band will perform from 7 to 9 p.m. at South Main and Toledo streets.
The Adrian Junior Majorettes will perform at 6:30 p.m. at the four corners of downtown.
Noah Martis will perform from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. at Mammoth Distilling, 108 E. Maumee St.
Vinyl Night will perform from 6 to 9 p.m. at Farver’s at the Croswell, 129 E. Maumee St.
A live DJ will be at The Brick Wall Pub and Grub, 114 W. Maumee St., from 7 p.m. to midnight.
The Jim Rice Group will be at Hooligan’s Grill, 113 E. Maumee St.
Club 109, 109 S. Main St., will have karaoke beginning at 9 p.m. Free games of pool can be played from 5 p.m. to midnight.
Free bounce houses will be available for kids at the Toledo Street Pavilion along with food trucks and the Adrian City Market at Pavilion. Adrian’s DARA social district, which is now open until 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, allows patrons the ability to enjoy an adult beverage while walking around downtown Adrian.
The following businesses will have activities and specials during First Fridays:
Nova’s Soda Pop and Candy Shop, 105 E. Church St., will have Hot Wheel car races at 6:30 p.m. along with free popcorn and Funky Dawgs food truck on site.
The Brick Wall Pub and Grub, 114 W. Maumee St., will have $5 hot dog plates, with 100% of the proceeds benefiting the Lenawee Humane Society.
Chaloner and Co., 108 W. Maumee St., will have 20% off all tabletop cutters. Customers who buy any three cigars will receive one select cigar for free, while supplies last.
Chaloner Cigar House has a berry basil lemonade on special for $8.
Musgrove and Co., 110 W. Maumee St., will be providing free samples of drip coffee or house-made iced chai tea.
Hilltop Counseling, 115 W. Maumee St., will be hosting the M Society’s Pride Shop.
The Gallery Game and a chance to win a $50 gift card to Pet Supplies Plus can be played at the Gallery of Shops, 136 E. Maumee St.
Downtown Dempsey’s in the Gallery of Shops will have outdoor seating available for its diners.
Art will be on display and for sale at Pat Cooper Studios, 130 N. Main St. Refreshments will also be provided.
Sidewalk sales, 15% off the entire store, excluding Brighton products, and 70% off spring and summer apparel will be offered at Passion 4 Fashion, 143 N. Main St. Select sandals will be marked 50% off, and refreshments will be available.
Sass, 114 E. Maumee St., will have wallets and purses on special at 25% off. Candles will be 30% off, and the Lenawee Humane Society will be selling catnip mice.
Bohmey Beauty, 128 N. Main St., will offer 25% off all clothing and a summer sidewalk sale with all items priced at $15 or lower. Makeup, clothing and more are part of the sidewalk sale.
Herbal tea samples, a $20-15 minute chair massage and other goods will be offered at Phoenix Rising, 101 W. Maumee St.
The Buzz Cafe and Marketplace, 110 E. Maumee St., will have guest business Cypressene Fitness LLC and Restoration Massage in store. Customers will be able to receive 10% off total purchases when receipts are presented from another downtown business.
Tink and the Frog Yarn Shop, 117 N. Main St., will have 20% off August class registration as well as 15% off summer yarns and 40% off discounted yarn. Tables will be open inside the store for social stitching.
While supplies last, dog-themed crafts will be offered at the Adrian District Library, 143 E. Maumee St. The Friends of the Adrian District Library will feature a “Patterson Palooza” on the main floor of the library, in which all James Patterson and Robert North Patterson hardcover books will be priced at $2.
Ghidrah’s Mystic She Ways, 120 E. Maumee St., will have tarot readings, natal chart readings and mini reiki sessions for the public as well as free dog treats for any dogs.
Bulldog shake samples will be offered at Nutrition 365, 110 N. Main St. Also offered will be $1 off any purchase.
Mammoth Distilling, 108 E. Maumee St., will have grab-and-go cocktails that can be enjoyed inside the DARA district. Cocktails and spirits will be discounted at 20% off.
In celebration of International Beer Day, Farver’s at the Croswell will have select discounts on all beers.
Refreshments and conversation will be available inside Re/Max Main Street Realty, 105 E. Maumee St.
Celebration Title Group, 103 E. Maumee St., will have a grand opening party from 5 to 7 p.m. with a ribbon-cutting at 5:30 p.m. The new office will be open for refreshments and giveaways.
Water and popcorn will be available at XSell Realty, 129 S. Main St. Drawings for lawn service gift certificates and gas gift cards will take place.
Spike the big brown dog will be hanging out at Good Life Tattoo Co., 127 S. Main St. Water and refreshments will also be available. Temporary tattoos and face painting will be offered, and customers will be able to enter into a drawing to win $50 off their next $200 session.
The Adrian Moose Club, 111 S. Main St., will have a pulled pork sandwich dinner featuring baked beans, coleslaw and dessert for $8 for dine-in orders and $9 for carryout orders. There will also be $2 root beer floats.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: 'Dog Days of Summer' come to downtown Adrian today for First Fridays
