The official first day of summer 2021 is June 20, but in Bridgeport, it’s June 5.

 

On that evening, the Associated Businesses of Bridgeport will host a downtown Summer Kickoff and Food Truck Festival.

 

The ABB board met earlier this week to pin down details for the event which will feature live music, about a dozen food trucks, a cruise-in car show, trivia, prizes, and lots of summertime activities.

 

A hit at the 2018 and 2019 kickoff events and returning this year is the giant sandbox which will be set up between About You Monograms and Expressions Hair Designs. Member businesses will host booths featuring everything from clowns and balloon designs to sidewalk chalk and summer swag such as beach balls, water bottles and tote bags.

 

The easy breezy beach theme is meant to boost the spirits of residents, provide them a fun kickoff to the summer season and provide a long-awaited reunion of community members.

 

"People need people," Marquette said. "I can't think of a better reason to get together than to kick off the summer season."

 

Maple Valley Meat Market, Heavenly Hoagies, Kona Ice, Mr. Taco and the Lunch Box are among participating food trucks. Tables and chairs will be set up along the corridor where residents can enjoy their offerings and fare of downtown businesses. The stage will be set up at the corner of Main and Virginia Avenue from where representatives of the band “Eighties Enough” will play and Bridgeport businessman Brad Ford will emcee. On that same street corner, Studio 9 Dance Academy will perform.

 

The car show will be set up on West Main between the Lloyd Lang Bridge and the Benedum Civic Center. That area of Main Street will also feature local vocalists Josh Oldaker (gospel/country) and Greg Harrison (classic rock) will perform. ABB member businesses participating include J. Robey Law, WIC, Hearing Solution Services, Ford Funeral Home, Kaufman Realty & Auctions. Some nonprofits will set up booths to offer information and opportunity to get involved with their respective causes.

 

The Summer Kickoff will take place 5-8 p.m. with Main Street (between Philadelphia Ave. and Virginia Ave.) shutting down at 4:30 p.m. Participating food trucks and vendors may set up at 4 p.m.  

 

Summer Kickoff sponsors include Rominger Dental, Landmark Realty, G.A.L. Land Company, J. Robey Law and the Greater Bridgeport Convention & Visitors Bureau.

 

Other ABB member businesses and nonprofit organizations are invited to participate, but please contact Lisa Lang at galbds@aol.com to coordinate a location. Businesses which would like to join the ABB can reach out to Hilary Blankenship at hilary@kaufmanrealty.com. Download an ABB membership form HERE.