Thursday Night Live kicks off its fall series this week, starting with Soup Stock and launching an "artslive" weekend of events in downtown Jefferson City.
The event begins at 6 p.m. Thursday, featuring River City Revelry, 4 Skeevy Dudes and Deeper Blue, as well as Soup Stock, which features 14 different restaurants. Tickets for Soup Stock are $5 and allow people to try each different entry, voting for their favorite.
Jill Snodgrass, event planner, said only 400 tickets will be sold.
"The restaurants take it very seriously," Snodgrass said.
Thursday Night Live is an adult event, incorporating open consumption of alcoholic beverages within the district, which is on High Street, from Monroe Street to Jefferson Street, and Madison Street, from High Street to Commercial Way. Any children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent. Wristbands for those 21 and over will be available for $2.
The event does not allow pets, soliciting, coolers, outside beverages, skateboards, bicycles or scooters.
Thursday Night Live has grown substantially since it began in 2009, with close to 10,000 attending the final June event last year. Because of its growing success, the Cole County Commission approved an additional $10,000 for four fall dates, with the hopes that fall Mizzou games can help increase foot traffic in Jefferson City.
But Thursday Night Live is only the start. Friday will have the final Arts Stroll of the season, which Snodgrass characterized as more of a family event than the Thursday night series. She said the Arts Stroll has been going really well this year and allows people to check out previews of theater performances and various local artists.
Thursday Night Live will continue with a patriotic theme Sept. 11, then returning Oct. 9 and Oct. 30, where people will be encouraged to come in costume for "Zombie Night Live."