‘Downtown Thursdays’ Coming To West Orange: Summer Events

WEST ORANGE, NJ — A “block party every Thursday” is coming to downtown West Orange this summer.

According to a news release, the West Orange at Downtown Thursdays series will include free public events filled with “live music, fun and outdoor dining.” Events will rotate through the four corridors of Downtown: the Valley, St. Mark’s, Tory Corner and Eagle Rock.

Events are scheduled for every Thursday, beginning June 27 through August 15 (excluding July 4). Events take place from 5 to 8 p.m., with the Aug. 15 event starting at 6:30 p.m.

The series is presented by the Downtown West Orange Alliance (DWOA).

The schedule includes:

• June 27 – The Valley Block Party, Valley Parking Lot at 326 Valley Road behind the Post Office and Benji’s (Benji's taco truck, DJ Galore, cornhole, games and activities with your favorite librarians from the West Orange Public Library; there will be tents to keep you cool)
• July 11 – Tory Corner Salsa Street Party, Franklin & Main Streets (Live Salsa Music, Salsa Dance Lessons, Beer & Wine Garden)
• July 18 – Discover Downtown Family PJ Dance Party, Quigley Parking Lot at 2 Mississippi Avenue (DJ Dance Party, Games, Corn Hole, Beer & Wine Garden)
• July 25 – St. Marks Dinner and Music Under the Stars, 30 Main Street (Parklet, Alley Sky Mural Opening, Live Music)
• August 1 – Dog Days of Summer Bark & Brew, Alden Street (Bring your Dog! DJ Dance Music and a Beer & Wine Garden)
• August 8 – Eagle Rock Night of Jazz, 1 Eagle Rock Avenue (Live Jazz Band, Vendor Showcase, Beer & Wine Garden)
• August 15 – Brendan Byrne Centennial Dedication & Family Movie Night, Alden Street, starts 6:30 p.m., movie starts at 8 p.m. (Dedication Ceremony, Family Movies, Picnic on the Lawn of the Edison Museum)

“We hope to see lots of families and friends in the Downtown at Downtown Thursdays, filled with more fun than ever,” DWOA executive director Meg Brill said, encouraging residents to meet some business owners in the township, grab a bite to eat from a West Orange restaurant and “shop local.”

For more information, visit www.DowntownWO.com.

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