Downtown Festival District to run on Fridays for remainder of summer
Local resident Jacob Carter and Allan Hay sit at the bar at Jupiter’s Pizzeria and Billiards, located in downtown Champaign, on Oct. 11. The University was ranked No. 7 in top ten college towns, citing Jupiter’s as one of the city’s iconic pizza places.
June 27, 2019
This Friday will see the Downtown Festival District revamped after Champaign’s decision to extend the dates for the Downtown Festival District which was used earlier this year. Throughout the remainder of summer until August 23, these events will be held on Friday nights from 5-9 p.m.
The Downtown Festival District is a designated area stretching from North Neil Street to North Chestnut Street between Main Street and East University Avenue where customers can purchase and consume open containers of alcohol on the public property of participating restaurants and bars. Liquor purchased elsewhere will not be allowed.
Mayor Deborah Frank Feinen’s decision to extend the dates of the Festival District were based primarily on popularity and sound success concerning public safety.
“We tested out this new concept to see how it would work, and it went really well,” Feinen said in a press release on Tuesday. “Our residents and visitors enjoyed the option to order a drink, then move around on the sidewalk to listen to the various bands and talk with their friends. The public has taken advantage of the Festival District in a responsible manner, so I have decided to move forward and expand the Downtown Festival District designation for the remaining Friday Night Live events throughout the summer.”
