Block parties.

Food Trucks.

Art exhibits.

Special entertainment attractions.

Downtown High Point will have those events and more this summer and fall because Forward High Point – the nonprofit that’s headed up a successful downtown revitalization effort in that city – is now focusing on packing the next several months with exciting downtown events for residents in the region.

 Forward High Point is publicizing and sponsoring a good deal of special events and promotions designed to attract more visitors to downtown High Point.   When the city began a downtown revitalization effort years ago, with a shiny new mixed-use stadium as the centerpiece, one of the city’s leaders’ main goals was to pump more life and food traffic into downtown.

Forward High Point President Ray Gibbs stated in a press release this week that special events, festivals and promotions are at the center of what downtown organizations such as Forward High Point do regularly.

“Our long-term goal is to have a slate of diverse activities occurring nearly every weekend in downtown,” Gibbs stated. “You don’t have to know exactly what is happening, you just go downtown because you know something is going on.”

Here are some of the events planned by the Forward High Point’ Promotions and Special Events Committee:

  • Rock the Point Block Parties. They are free to the public and will take place from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. every Saturday when there’s a home High Point Rockers baseball game. The parties will start on Saturday, July 17 and run through Saturday, October 2.  They’ll be held on Gatewood Street Avenue, next to the Truist Point Stadium Box Office and North Gate.  The block parties will include “live music performed by some of the area’s most popular bands,” as well as food and beverages – and inflatable games for the kids.

The Rockers gates will open at 6 p.m. following the block parties.

Food Truck Rodeo. Scheduled from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, July 24, the “rodeo” event will feature a wide variety of area food trucks on Church Street Avenue and North Elm Street on the east side of Truist Point Stadium. This free event will include a stage at the end of Church Street Avenue for several bands such as the featured band, “Bad Romeo.”  Tents will allow partygoers to catch some shade while enjoying beverages provided by local microbrewers and wineries.

And there’s more in store. The following events are being planned for the fall. More information will be available closer to the event dates:

  • Downtown Drink & Dine. Scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 18, this event will require tickets that will allow holders to get food and drink samples at many downtown establishments.
  • Interactive Art Exhibit. From October 9 to October 23, downtown will host an art exhibit from Montreal, Canada. Coinciding with the Fall Furniture Market, the display will also be open to the general public both before and after the market.
  • Pups @ the Point. Saturday, October 9 will be the date of a festival for both dogs and their human keepers. Of course, treats for the furry friends will be included.
  • Downtown Octoberfest. This will run from October 22 to October 23. High Point’s first “Downtown Octoberfest” will be held in front of the Truist Point Stadium and next to the Stock + & Grain Assembly.

The non-profit organization Forward High Point is always seeking local business and corporate partnerships and sponsorships. Those interested can contact Gibbs at 336-883=9891.

 Event information and more can be found on the organization’s website at  www.downtownhighpoint.org

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