Summer Events Heat Up ... in Downtown Napa

By Craig Smith

Summer is here, and it’s time to enjoy the long evenings with some summer fun. Here are a dozen great reasons to pack up the family and drive, bike or walk to Downtown Napa. Reasons One through Four FIRST THURSDAYS

July 3, August 7, September 4 and October 2 at Oxbow Commons, 5 to 9 PM. Admission is Free.

Wow – did this one catch on quickly! The Oxbow Commons on McKinstry Street is the perfect place for First Thursdays, an event reminiscent of the old Chefs Market. In fact, long-time Chefs Market manager, Julie Morales and her team from TEAM Morales are again running the event, so you know it’s being done right.

With its large grassy area, the Oxbow Commons is a great place to spread a blanket and let the kids play. “Non-profit groups will be out there every week, each hosting some kind of activity geared towards children,” said Bill La Liberte, Executive Director of the Downtown Napa Association (DNA), which hosts First Thursdays. Attendees can enjoy a meal at their favorite downtown restaurant or visit the food trucks and specialty food purveyors who are there every Thursday. Farmers from the Napa Farmers Market offer fresh produce and artists display their creations. The DNA host beverage booths, featuring several different local tasting rooms each week, as well as, craft beers and beers from Napa breweries. “We’re committed to the community feel from the old days. People loved it, so why change it?”

And, course, there is be music. “We open each First Thursday with something different – a garage band, local dance troop or another other kind of youth performance,” said LaLiberte. If you’re just there for the music, you are going to love First Thursdays – two different bands will perform each evening, providing lots of opportunity to listen and/or dance the night away.

Reasons Five through Eight FRIDAY NIGHTS IN THE PARK

July 11, 18, 25 and August 1 at Veterans Park, 6 to 10 PM.  Admission is Free.

For over twenty years, Napans have gathered at Veterans Park to enjoy a night of music. Many come with neighbors and their kids, start out with a picnic, and then relax into the music. Feel like dancing? Do it. If you don’t already know about this event, you must be new to Napa. Ask your friends about it or just come on down and join the fun.

Reasons Nine through Twelve SHOP, SIP & STROLL

June 18, July 16, August 20 and September 17, 5 to 7 PM.

The concept is simple – for ten bucks, attendees get a glass and a wristband. From 5 to 7 PM on the first Wednesday of the month through September, people can visit stores (usually a dozen or so each week) that have balloons displayed in front of them, and get a taste from whichever tasting room has paired with that store. Visit every place if you wish and get a taste at all of them – it’s all covered by the initial $10. There’s also outdoor music; a great opportunity to visit friends while enjoying mild Napa summer nights. Shop a bit while you enjoy a splash. Listen to music as you walk to the next store, where you can do it all over again.

“It’s really unique,” said Paul Kelaita, who attends as many as he and his wife can. “It’s a chance to visit stores we’d never been in and taste wines we might have never tried.” He laughed and added, “I think downtown should do this every week.”

It’s a great event for families as well. “My husband and I took my mom and our daughter the first year. Teal was just an infant, and we saw several other families with their newborns,” said Kelli Lampkin. “We ran into friends every week and got to walk around with them. It was super unique, and was a really inexpensive night out.”

Downtown Napa is divided into four districts for this one, and each night a different district is featured. Guests can follow the map or just look for the balloons in front of each business. Visit DoNapa.com, and you’ll have all the details on your phone. Then, start to enjoy.

Come before or after dinner, or plan to eat at a downtown restaurant. This is about as fun and relaxing as a summer night can be. Details for all the events can be found at DoNapa.com, or look for the three ads in this issue of Napa Valley Marketplace Magazine. These events are in thanks to the sponsors: Do Napa, all downtown property owners through their Property and Business Improvement District (PBID), and Napa lodging establishments through the Tourist Information District (TID). Come join the fun!