New downtown event brings community together
Sometimes Moscow may feel like two separate towns — the city itself and the University of Idaho. City of Moscow Mayor Bill Lambert is hoping to change that feeling with the first-ever Vandal Town Block Party.
Music, food, community, academia and local business will be the driving forces at the Vandal Town Block Party from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, on Main Street between 5th and 6th streets.
Jen Pfiffner, assistant to the city supervisor, said although the event is new in Moscow, people have been pushing for a joint get-together like it for some time. A handful of businesses have had the idea over the years to do a downtown event besides the Farmer’s Market, both to boost business sales and create an atmosphere that brings the Moscow and UI communities together, said Pfiffner, who also noted that Mayor Lambert has been on board with the idea from the start.
“When Mayor Lambert came into office he kind of picked up on that idea and said, ‘Let’s get the students and the community all in one place,'” Pfiffner said. “It was kind of a perfect timing, everyone got together at the right time and said let’s take advantage and see how this works.”
Pfiffner said the event will feature live music performances by Voodoo City Radio and Simba and the Exceptional Africans. The event will also include business specials and vendors located throughout the downtown area.
“The City and Chamber will have a booth right in friendship square where we will be giving away prizes,” Pfiffner said. “We’ve got shirts, we’ve got gift cards, and all sorts of stuff we’ll be giving out down there.”
The City of Moscow passed an ordinance two weeks ago to allow nearby businesses to expand their seating out into the street as an effort to get local businesses directly involved with the event.
“It just allows for more activity on the street, to really get that outdoor-event fun vibe,” Pfiffner said.
More info
SMART Transit will be running extended hours for the Vandal Block Party to allow for additional parking and transportaion to the event.
6:10 p.m. to 9 p.m.
:10 and :40
Transit Center
:22 and :52
1st and Main
(last pick up at 1st and Main at 8:52 p.m.) Ends at Transit Center at 9 p.m.
She also said adults and children of all ages are welcome to attend, and suggests they start at one end of the block and listen to one of the live bands and make their way to the other end — grabbing a bite to eat from a local restaurant on the way.
If the event goes as planned, the city is hoping to make it an annual celebration.
“This is a community as well as a student celebration,” Pfiffner said. “It’s kind of a welcome and an introduction of our downtown for students.”
Karter Krasselt can be reached at [email protected]