[MCN] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Out to Lunch & Downtown ToNight Commence June 1 and 2

[Madeleine Hoyt]

Hi All,

After five months of planning and preparation, the Missoula Downtown
Association (MDA) will launch the 31st annual *Out to Lunch Summer Series*
on Wednesday, June 1 and the 16th annual *Downtown ToNight* *Summer Series*
on Thursday, June 2. These free summer outdoor concerts events take place
every week through June, July and August in Caras Park in the heart of
Downtown Missoula.

 The *Out to Lunch Summer Series* was started in 1986 and is the
longest-standing outdoor food and music event in Montana. Each Wednesday
during lunchtime from 11 am to 2 pm, folks can enjoy live music free of
charge and/or purchase lunch from one of 23 food trucks and vendors in the
park.

 Missoula’s *Mike Bader Blues Band* will grace the stage on the June 1
Opening Day for *Out to Lunch*, and the Jeannette Rankin Peace Center will
provide free activities for children. The 2016 season will feature the *Big
Sky Mudflaps* on June 8, the *Ed Norton Big Band* June 22, the *International
Choral Festival* kickoff on July 13, and several other interesting
Missoula-area bands. New to the stage this year are the *Salamanders* and
the *Retro-Tones* June 15, *You Knew Me When* July 27, and the *Western
Union Swing Band* at the season finale August 24.

 Folks are encouraged to bike, walk and bus into Downtown for *Out to Lunch*
on Wednesdays, and the *Out to Lunch* Trolley will run each week from the
University of Montana South Campus Parking Lot to/from Downtown. Those
interested in driving can park in the Central Park Garage on West Main or
the Park Place Garage on East Front. Parking is free for the first hour in
both garages.

 The *Downtown ToNight Summer Series* was created in 2001 and modeled after
the very successful *Out to Lunch* program. Every Thursday after work from
5:30-8:30 pm, Missoula families and their guests enjoy adult beverages,
food trucks, live music and children’s playtime in Caras Park.

 *Jameson & the Sordid Seeds*, a rock, reggae and blues band from
Whitefish, Mont., will open the *Downtown ToNight Summer Series* on June 2,
and Traveler’s Rest State Park will offer complimentary children’s
activities. New to the *Downtown ToNight* lineup for 2016 are *Black
Mountain Moan* June 23, *Full Grown Band *June 30, *Bent Bones* July 14, *Luke
Dowler* July 21, and *Moneypenny* August 11. Highlights include *Gladys
Friday* on June 9, the *Missoula Independent’s Best of Missoula Awards* on
July 7, and *County Line* and the Great Griz Encounter at the season finale
on August 25.

Seven new food trucks and vendors will be joining the fun, bringing lots of
interesting and dynamic food choices to the mix. Those new vendors include
Big Thai Country Food Truck, Butte Pasty Company, Ina’s Indian Tacos,
Kayle, Knuckleheads BBQ (returning after a 10-year leave), the Taco Treat
Truck, and Wally & Buck. Of course many of Missoula’s beloved favorites
will also be serving up a wide variety of excellent foods for both programs.

“Downtown Missoula is the envy of many communities across the west because
of these wonderful weekly gatherings in the heart of our community,” said
Aimee McQuilkin, President of the MDA Board of Directors and owner of
Betty’s Divine clothing boutique on the Hip Strip. “These 26 events create
opportunities for engagement, enjoyment, commerce and comradery.”

 Drawing close to 80,000 attendees over the course of the 13-week schedule,
Out to Lunch and Downtown ToNight are funded entirely by Missoula-area
businesses or organizations that purchase sponsorships, as well as vending
fees. Nearly 70 businesses and organizations are supporting the programs
this year, including Zip Beverage, Mountain Line, Blackfoot
Telecommunications, Missoula Pediatric Dentistry, TrailWest Bank, MCAT,
Zillastate, Missoula in Motion and many, many more.

***See attachments for food options for Out to Lunch and Downtown ToNight
2016*

 For more information on Out to Lunch, contact Leidy Wagener (
leidy at missouladowntown.com). For more information on Downtown ToNight,
contact Kristen Sackett (kristen at missouladowntown.com).

*Madeleine Hoyt*

*Customer Service Coordinator*

Downtown Missoula Partnership


218 E Main | Missoula, MT

406.543.4238 | missouladowntown.com <http://www.missouladowntown.com/>
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