Bridge Street Live dubbed a ‘tremendous success’
The first of four Bridge Street Live block parties and concerts taking place on Thursdays in June was described as a “tremendous success” by event coordinator Bill Solleder, drawing an estimated 1,500 people throughout the night.
Thursday’s event had live music by Memphis Soul Revue, food and alcohol vendors by restaurants within the entertainment district and a few other vendors that came to sell items.
The Greater Hot Springs
Chamber of Commerce cut a ribbon, commemorating the first event held in a portion of the downtown entertainment district at 5 p.m., and then the event officially began. With this being the first BSL event, Solleder said there were a few things they were tackling before next week.
“We had a number of vendors drop out at the very last minute, so we had to do some adjustments to fill up that empty space with tables and that sort of thing,” he said, adding they are looking for nonfood vendors in the week to come.
For $50 per week, anyone can come set up and provide a service or items to BSL attendees. To inquire about being a vendor, call Visit Hot Springs at 501-321-2277. More people than expected came out before the live music began at 7 p.m., he said, so before next week they plan to find an opening act for bluegrass group Arkansauce, to get things started earlier. To inquire about being an opening act possibility, call VHS.
“We didn’t realize people would come straight at 5 (p.m.) to stake their lawn chair claim, but that’s what they did,” Solleder said. “And even though we had a busker down the street, people sort of congregate to the stage. So, we’re thinking about adding another act to the beginning to keep the entertainment going.”
Otherwise, he said they have a “pretty good grasp” on BSL.
“There’s just some minor tuning up, but really all-in-all, I think a tremendous success,” Solleder said. “I just sat back and watched the crowd singing along and dancing to Memphis Soul Revue. It’s just everyone seemed so happy to be there and to be out. It was a coming-out Hot Springs reunion; it was a good feeling.”
With the event being held in the entertainment district, attendees were allowed to carry alcohol around in designated BSL cups, but Solleder noted there were no issues during the event.
“I was real happy, everyone was well behaved and in great moods,” he said. “Serving alcohol in the green Bridge Street Live cups worked, and the signage, and our ushers at all the exit and entry points worked. So I think after the first event we’re on a good trend that maybe a longtime commitment to the entertainment district, having more programming, could work.”
Bluegrass group Arkansauce will perform at this week’s BSL; Reggae group The Irie Lions will perform June 17; and funk and soul group Funkytown will perform June 24. Every event will start at 5 p.m., with the main performers starting at 7 p.m. and the festivities will conclude at 10 p.m.
“I’m just so happy,” Solleder said, “that we’re back, and producing events; and I’m just so happy that people seem to be excited attending them.”