The day's heat lingered, but Tom and Joyce Ritchie of Stanleyville didn't seem to mind as they listened to bluegrass music from a pair of lawn chairs in the shade of the armory building in downtown Marietta Friday evening.
It was the first Mayor's Third Friday Jubilee of the season, and more than 200 people gathered on the Armory Square lawn to enjoy toe-tappin' music from David Parmley and the Continental Divide, as well as Mayor Michael "Moon" Mullen and Friends.
"We try to attend all of these events - anything that's going on downtown," Tom Ritchie said. "It's a good family get-together and great to have activities geared toward families."
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SAM SHAWVER The Marietta Times
David Parmley and the Continental Divide were featured during the season’s first Mayor’s Third Friday Jubilee that drew more than 200 people to the Armory Square lawn in Marietta Friday.
The Ritchies' daughter, Edie Westbrook of Stanleyville, also attended with husband, Ryan, and 18-month-old daughter Ellery.
"She loves this kind of music," Edie Westbrook said.
Nearby, Treva Crock, Amanda Moore, Troy Ross and Charlotte Haessley were manning the WASCO Adult Advocacy concession wagon.
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The next concert on the Armory Square lawn in downtown Marietta will be at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, July 4, featuring the country's largest National Guard Band, the 70-piece 122nd Army Band. The event is co-sponsored by The Marietta Times.
"We serve popcorn, hot dogs, candy, soft drinks and water at all of the jubilees," Crock said. "But it is hot inside that trailer."
Moore agreed.
"We've been through 10 bags of ice already," she said.
Mullen said Friday's kickoff event will be followed by other jubilees on the third Fridays of July and August.
"Bluegrass seems to be a real favorite for everyone - it's just pure, down-home music," Mullen said. "And the armory lawn is our downtown gathering place - our 'green' or square that's become a traditional hub of activity for many of our summer events."
He said the Mayor's Third Friday Jubilee is now in its seventh year.
"And it's absolutely free to the public, thanks to our business community that steps up to help sponsor these events," Mullen added.
Calvin Mickey from Hopedale, and friend, Lindsey McClain from Akron, also attended Friday's jubilee.
"We come for the festive atmosphere and to eat at the local restaurants," Mickey said. "And this is a national-quality band with award-winning musicians."
