Dickson Community

Friday Night Downtown Lights brings live music, classic movies, late night dining, shopping & sidewalk sales to historic Main street in Dickson. Business owners recently came together with a plan to rejuvenate Main street bringing more interest and more fun to downtown Dickson. The result, wholesome family fun every Friday this summer.

Ken Moore of The Bears Den, Mandy Thompson of Main Street Marketplace and Larry & Diane Fiser of Spunky Monkey are among the many business owners sponsoring Friday Night Downtown Lights. These businesses provide fun for all ages, late night shopping, and a relaxing end to the busy work week for customers. As you visit each shop this Friday, show the business owners your appreciation.

Several business owners agree Friday Night Downtown Lights brings a sense of renewed spirit to historic downtown Dickson. As I strolled around Main street speaking with business owners as well as people in the crowd, I asked for feedback from both groups. I was told by a few new faces that there was more expected. More shops opened late and more entertainment. I reassured them as the news got out other business owners might be open to keeping late hours on Fridays. I was told by the participating business owners a project of this size takes time and cooperation, most of all it takes people working together.

Image by Randy Blaylock

Driving down Main Street in downtown Dickson I was thrilled to see the sidewalks crowded with so much foot traffic. There were young couples with one hand on the stroller while the other held iced- coffee, older couples holding hands and teens enjoying ice cream heading toward Holland Park. It was Friday night in Dickson and the musicians had already started to entertain the crowd in the park. And I do mean crowd! Some folks were sprawled out on blankets while their children danced and twirled and some had the fore thought to bring nice folding chairs-it was obvious some of these folks had done this before.

The first Friday night Jammin-n- June of the season was Song Writers Night featuring Jamie Teachenor, Blaine Larson, Kevin Denny and Jay Knowles. These gentlemen have written songs for each other and other famous artists and their delivery and vocal talents at this concert in the park were quite enjoyable.

The music was delightfully country with lyrics reciting the joy of southern living, the merits of sweet tea and country ham as well as the trouble with Sunday mornings after Saturday nights. It was fitting that the concert had to take a short break as the train blew through town just before “I’m that Country” was sung. I believe it was Jamie’s 4 year old son that strolled up on stage to sit on his dad’s lap to lend his voice and accompany him on a song. The youngster also gave his “Elvis” impression to the delight of the crowd.

I saw a flyer on a park bench on Main Street declaring Friday Night Lights in Downtown Dickson with later shopping hours and the promise of outdoor movies. I spoke with Cathy Colson who is the president of the Downtown Dickson Business Association who said they were looking for classic movies to show outdoors by the Red Cap building at about dark or dark 30.

The family atmosphere of the event didn’t deter the teens and the older set didn’t seem to mind the kids darting through the “audience”, and although I was happy to bump into old friends, I didn’t feel the least bit uncomfortable arriving at the concert alone. It appeared that a good time was had by all; I know I enjoyed the concert in the park and have every intention of attending other Friday nights Jammin-n-June. Ya’ll come!

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There were plenty of picking parties and playing at the 4th annual Americana Folk Festival (AFF) on November 1, 2008. People brought their dogs, blankets, and a pure passion for roots music. New relationships were formed, old ones rekindled, and most of all, we took a breather to honor the healing power of music and nature. It was a beautiful weekend, and the AFF would like to thank everyone in the Dickson community who supported the event by helping and/or attending.

We applaud the amazing lineup of musicians:

The Alison Brown Quartet Casey Driessen Jars of Clay The Silver Seas Blue Mother Tupelo Derek Webb Sandra McCracken Madi Diaz Gretchen Peters The Old Ceremony Julie Lee Jennifer Niceley Jeff Black Megan McCormick The Early Evening Kingbilly Andrea Zonn The Bittersweets Paul Burch David Berkeley Claire Small The Contrarian Ensemble Robby Hecht Peter Bradley Adams Sonia Leigh Kindling Stone David Dewese Steven Delopoulos Craig Carothers Angus White Eric Wilson & Empty Hearts Kevin Gordon Eric Zarycki & The Persuasion

We would like to extend a very special thank-you to Pat Wright and the entire staff of Montgomery Bell State Park, Eric Lankford, Steve Cordell, Holly and Jeremy Spencer/House Blend Coffeehouse, Tommy Marvin, and The Dickson Herald.

http://www.americanafolkfest.com
http://www.myspace.com/americanafolkfest

The next event is scheduled for the second weekend of October 2009. To stay updated, please consider joining our mailing list by clicking on this link: http://www.americanafolkfest.com/index.php?com=r…