Local businesses and artists will organize special promotions and activities to attract visitors for Downtown Dayz, a monthly event that will take place Oct. 10.
Sponsored by the Abilene Downtown Association, Downtown Dayz was created last year to encourage interest in Abilene’s downtown business and cultural scene.
“The purpose of Downtown Dayz is really to generate interest in folks coming downtown to shop, to dine and to partake of the cultural opportunity,” said Dennis Miller, president of the Abilene Downtown Association.
Students can park downtown during the event and walk to participating galleries, shops and restaurants – such as Monks Coffee Shop or the Paramount Theatre – to browse or take advantage of possible discounts, Miller said.
Although featured businesses and artists vary each month, many have made repeat appearances, including The Arrangement, RELICS, Eternal Threads, The Loft, McKay’s Bakery and The Grace Museum.
Miller said the association has noticed a gradual increase in visitors on Downtown Dayz.
“Our merchants are telling us that they are seeing a little more traffic in their stores, that it has generated some additional sales,” Miller said. “Like anything that’s new, it takes some time to develop.”
Students are often featured artists and musicians. Cockerell Galleries exclusively displays work by ACU artists, and the Center for Contemporary Arts has an exhibit by Ash Almonte, a former McMurry University student, running this month.
Students interested in participating in Downtown Dayz can contact the Downtown Association online at www.abilenedowntown.com. Next week’s featured participants will be also be displayed online.