[MCN] News Alert // Out to Lunch & Downtown ToNight Summer Series Launch 13-Week Season June 6 & 7

[Kalina Wickham]

*Missoula’s Beloved Out to Lunch & Downtown ToNight Summer Series Launch
13-Week Season June 6 & 7*

For the 33rd consecutive year, the Missoula Downtown Association (MDA) has
developed a vibrant and robust Out to Lunch Summer Series to commence on
Wednesday, June 6. The MDA is also launching the Downtown ToNight Summer
Series for the 18th consecutive season on Thursday, June 7. All 26
admission-free events will be held in Caras Park, Missoula’s Town Square in
the heart of Downtown.

*OUT TO LUNCH*
The brainchild of Pat Simmons, MDA’s first-ever paid employee, the Out to
Lunch Summer Series is held each Wednesday in June, July and August from 11
am-2pm. The outdoor music and food festival is the longest-standing in the
state of Montana and features live music, children’s activities and
authentic and local food and beverage offerings from 20 food trucks and
vendors.

Launching the 2018 season for Out to Lunch will be Missoula’s own *Zeppo
Blues Band*. A six-piece, old-school, rhythm and blues band, Zeppo Blues is
headed by Peter Barberio and features Paul Philips, Jordan Demander, Ty
Nuno, Russ Parson, Eric Minton and Tim Larum, most of whom have been
playing together for 35+ years. Some of their most inspiring mentors
include Greg Allman, Otis Redding, the Neville Brother and the Radiators.
For more information on the Zeppo Blues Band, call Barberio at
406-549-1502.

*DOWNTOWN TONIGHT*
Created in 2001 to meet a high-rising demand in Downtown Missoula, the
Downtown ToNight Summer Series takes place each Thursday in June, July and
August from 5:30-8:30 pm, also in Caras Park. In addition to live music,
playtime for kids, and food trucks galore, Downtown ToNight also offers
adult beverages for those ages 21 and older.

Opening the 2018 season is *Trego*, a blossoming six-piece Americana Rock
Band from Spokane, Wash. Formerly known as Folkinception, this six-piece
band was voted the Best Original Band in the Inlander’s Readers’ Poll in
both 2017 and 2018. For more information on Trego, contact Patty Groenen (
patty at tregoband.com).

“Each week throughout the summer, these weekly celebrations bring our
community together in the heart of Missoula for lively conversation,
connection, food trucks, fun, live music, local beer, wine and spirits,
family activities and the experience of Missoula’s culture,” said Brooke
Redpath, President of the MDA Board of Directors. “Our weekly offerings are
the base of the Missoula arts and culture scene, and they are very popular
for folks of all ages.”

Nearly 120 different bands from across the country applied to perform at
Out to Lunch and Downtown ToNight this year. Close to 150 distinct
Missoula-area businesses and non-profit organizations are supporting the
outdoor food and music festivities with their time, talent and treasure.
Business sponsorships and vending fees cover the hard costs, so the
mid-week events remain admission free for all.

“Our weekly summertime events are a big draw for Missoula, and they are the
base of our arts and culture scene,” said Linda McCarthy, Director of the
Downtown Missoula Partnership. “Downtown communities across the country
model these events, knowing they serve as an economic driver for
city-center activities and commerce. Out to Lunch and Downtown ToNight are
a great way to experience all Downtown has to offer.”

*FOOD & BEVERAGE*
Each week more than 20 food vendors and food trucks will provide a wide
variety of food and beverage offerings for sale. New vendors this year are
Dobi’s Teriyaki, Five on Black, Mountain Berry, River City Eats, and Two
Crows Tacos. Other food trucks are Baskin Robbins, Big Dipper, Big Thai
Country, Bitterroot Bison, Clove Cart, Covered Wagon, El Cazador, Ina’s
Indian Tacos, Isla’s, Just BBQ, Lil’ Orbits, the Noodle Wagon, Pagoda,
Pattie Wagon, Sa Wad Dee, Taco Sano, and Vietnam Noodle. In addition, guest
vendors will be featured during special events. In 2017 vendors sold close
to $360,000 in food and beverages.

*CARAS CASH*
Folks interested in purchasing food and beverages for their employees or
guests can pre-purchase Caras Cash in $5.00 increments at the Downtown
Missoula Partnership Office (218 E. Main), which can be used to purchase
food and beverage from any of the vendors and food trucks at the events.

*PARKING & TRANSPORTATION*
For the first-time ever, the Out to Lunch Trolley will offer free rides to
Caras Park each Wednesday from Splash Montana (3001 Bancroft). The trolley
has always run up and down Higgins Avenue during Out to Lunch free of
charge and will continue to stop for those on Higgins Avenue. Additionally,
Zero-Fare Mountain Line busses all come Downtown, so you can ride any of
the routes to the Transit Center, which is just four blocks from Caras
Park.

There are lots of public parking spaces throughout Downtown Missoula, and
the first hour of parking is free in the Central Park Garage (128 W. Main)
and the Park Place Garage (201 E. Front). Parking is free evenings and
weekends, so there is no charge to park in Downtown Missoula during the
Downtown ToNight Summer Series. It’s also easy to bike and walk to and
throughout Downtown Missoula, and there are plenty of bike racks throughout
the city center.

The Passport Parking APP is another easy and convenient way to pay for
parking from your office, car or while in the park. Just download the
Passport APP, load up your credit card, and enjoy the convenience of paying
with a cell phone.
*LEAD STAFF*
For more information on the *Out to Lunch Summer Series*, contact April
Sommers, DMP’s Membership & Events Director, via phone (406-543-4238) or
email (april at missouladowntown.com).  For more information on the *Downtown
ToNight Summer Series*, contact Lincoln Mansch, DMP’s Marketing & Events
Director, via phone (406-543-4238) or email (Lincoln at missouladowntown.com).

***SEE ATTACHMENTS FOR FULL ENTERTAINMENT SCHEDULE AT OUT TO LUNCH &
DOWNTOWN TONIGHT***


*Kalina Wickham*

*Customer Service Coordinator*

Downtown Missoula Partnership

218 E Main | Missoula, MT

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