By Mayan Lara

Photographer

For anyone looking for something to do around Bakersfield on a Thursday afternoon, look no further. Starting April 18, the Downtown Business Association hosted the first of many Third Thursdays to come.

Third Thursday is a public event that takes place in the downtown area in Central Park along Mill Creek. The event starts at 5:30 p.m. and ends at 8 p.m. It will be held monthly until July 18. Each Third Thursday will have a theme to it, the first being Arts Alive.

The DBA is hosting this in hopes of livening up the downtown area and bringing awareness to the city of Bakersfield about local businesses and artists. Families from around Kern County are welcome to come and enjoy live music, art, food, and fun activities.

Upon arrival at the very first Third Thursday of this year, one would find resident artists displaying their paintings and other art along Mill Creek between 19th and 18th streets while local band Stella and the Steel Cats performed a mixture of vintage blues, jazz, and swing style music. This event was called The YOUNGER Art Walk.

Jaqueline Holtz, mother of three, enjoyed looking at the local artwork throughout the park.

“It’s nice that they put their art on display for all of Bakersfield to see, it’s a great way for them to get known,” said Holtz.

The art displayed along 19th and 18th streets was done by artists of all ages. The styles and types varied from paintings to RockCrylic, which was art done on blocks of stone. The art was not only on display, but it was also up for people to purchase.

Once finished admiring the art, a short walk down the Mill Creek bridges led to the heart of the event; a lively scene of booths, more music, and children running around having a good time.

Booths held by local businesses such as Bike Bakersfield, Bakersfield Magazine and the California Water Service Company were set up along the edges of the park giving out information and business cards to anyone interested. Not only were their informational booths, but there were also booths from local boutiques and stories selling jewelry and handbags for ladies of all ages.

For people not interested in talking to local businesses, there were also a variety of activities set up all around Central Park. Inflatable slides, bounce houses, arts and crafts, games, dancing and a horse drawn wagon were all available for people of all ages to enjoy.

With the help of Bright House Networks providing music at Central Park, Budweiser providing beverages, and local restaurants providing booths of food, the park was filled with hundreds of people enjoying themselves and the activities provided.

According to Bright House Networks Sales Manager Keven Clifton, this was Bright House’s first time actually attending an event they sponsor. He felt it was good seeing the community come together at an event like this one.

“I personally haven’t seen the park at night… it’s very nice and very beautiful,” Clifton said. He enjoyed seeing downtown Bakersfield vibrant and alive.

Bright House Networks provided the park with a live concert done by local band Thee Deval. As Thee Deval played a variety of covers as well as original songs, people gathered around to dance and sing along, enjoying their live performance.

Local Candice Romo said she loved the idea of there being a carnival type event every third Thursday because it gave her and her family something to do and look forward to.

“I will most likely be attending the next Third Thursday and so should other families because it’s a great way to support local business and get together with the community,” Romo said.