‘Beets, Beats and Eats? debuts downtown

Ortonville- Friday Nights in the Park is ready to make its debut, from 6-9 p.m., July 14, in Crossman Park.
The event, also known as Beets, Beats and Eats, replaces the Country Market and will continue on Fridays through Sept. 29.
‘I think this will be a great new event in Ortonville,? said Main Street Manager Julie Courtney. ‘It’s very community and family-centered. It will be an opportunity to have a meal downtown outside and enjoy new vendors and music that we’re bringing in.?
Courtney anticipates about 12 regular vendors for Friday Nights in the Park, including one that sells homemade soaps and candles; one with native plants for sale; and an organic farmer that has more than 30 varieties of heirloom vegetables. More vendors will attend periodically.
For entertainment on July 14, a group of four musicians will be featured performing acoustic folk and bluegrass music. Subsequent weeks will have performances by the Friendly Folk Jammin? Friday musicians.
Beets, Beats and Eats will also have a dinner provided by members of the Ortonville United Methodist Church every week. Dinner on July 14 is barbecue chicken, macaroni salad, baked beans, potato chips, strawberry shortcake, and lemonade or iced tea. Cost is $5 per person.
Parking is available on the street or in the village parking lot. Courtney suggests bringing a lawn chair to enjoy the festivities.