Like a painting by Norman Rockwell, the scene on Milton-Freewater’s North Main Street on this summer evening is a vivid slice of small-town Americana.
Courtesy of Milton-Freewater Chamber Downtown Alliance, “Friday Nights on Main” (FNOM) happens here every fourth Friday, May through August. For three hours the four blocks that make up North Main Street are closed to traffic and open to a hybrid of county fair and street festival.
Parking available on adjoining side streets puts the event just yards away.
At the June event, the Walla Walla Cheese Company’s “Eat the Case” ice-cream eating competition draws the largest crowd. Divided by age categories, contestants strive to gobble every scoop of ice cream set before them before the clock runs out.
Not just any ice cream, but thick, rich confections handcrafted from the highest-grade milk delivered by family-owned Creamline Farms, the only locally-operated dairy operation for hundreds of miles.
“Get ready for brain freeze,” the emcee playfully cautions contestants before giving the signal to dig into velvety vanillas, choice chocolates, heavenly huckleberry and other frozen favorites.
The downtown chamber organization, known as the MFCDA, developed “Friday Nights on Main” to meet a number of goals. The idea is to offer a layered, family-friendly and affordable community celebration throughout the summer.
It starts with the youngsters. Free activities like the big drift trikes course, a fire-hose splash zone, face painting, crafts and low-cost treat and dinner options give families the opportunity to keep children entertained the entire evening. Since it all takes place in line-of-sight, up and down the street, the venue lets the grownups relax and wander by themselves for a bit.
The street fair expands to include a rotating schedule of car, motorcycle and off-road vehicle exhibits, dance performances, vendors, information booths, historical displays, free haircuts for kids and more.
“Friday Nights on Main” is also a chance to showcase what Milton-Freewater has to offer the region.
Not only do North Main Street businesses — legendary spots like Saager’s Shoes and Three Divas Beads, for instance — stay open for the evening, but MFCDA members take turns sponsoring and putting their own businesses on display each month.
While it’s often local residents who sign up to compete in, say, the apple pie or salsa-making contests, visitors from surrounding communities come to listen to live music, sip a craft beer or a local wine, and eat from bustling food trucks and booths.
From thick steak sandwiches and buttery corn on the cob by Osprey Farm’s Catering to enormous burritos by Super Milton to smoked brisket sandos from the Smokin’ Bandits food truck, the air is redolent with savory scents at June’s Friday Nights on Main.
Freewater Square at the top of the blocks is filled with tables, umbrellas and diners as busy chatting as they are with dining.
The next block down, the Teen Zone is hosted by the Army National Guard. The space offers space to hang out and activities right for its fan base, including ping pong and cornhole.
MFCDA’s member team says the true north for Friday Nights on Main comes from the convivial atmosphere that encourages gathering together and spending time with old and new friends. No one is in a hurry and many simply bask in the vibes of the live music, a glass of something delicious and the company of others.
Friday Nights on Main is scaffolded by partner organizations and the willingness of volunteers, organizers say, and that comes across in the hometown authenticity.
Everyone wants to belong to this small town, just south of the Oregon-Washington state line, in these magical moments.
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July 25, 6-9 p.m. “Freewater Fiesta”
- Music by Grupo Buenas Vibras
- Salsa making contest
- Performance from Ballet Folklorico, 6:30 p.m.
- “History of Ag” show, featuring new and vintage agriculture equipment
August 22, 6-9 p.m. “Back to Class Bash”
- Music by Wasteland Kings
- Free haircuts for kids — first come first served.
- Motorcycle show
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Photos by Steve Lenz