Missoula’s favorite summer concert series returns to Caras Park the first week in June. Produced by the Missoula Downtown Association, the Out to Lunch program celebrates its 30th season, while Downtown ToNight is in its 15th year. These events bring more than 100,000 individuals to Downtown Missoula throughout June, July, and August.
Out to Lunch, held Wednesdays from 11am-2pm, features 19 local food vendors, live musical entertainment, free children’s activities, and the free trolley shuttle service to Caras Park from anywhere along Higgins Avenue. In honor of its 30th year, Out to Lunch will feature a special drawing each month for a prize worth a $500 or more.
Downtown ToNight runs every Thursday from 5:30-8:30 pm and includes live music, a beer and wine garden, 19 local food vendors, children’s activities and free parking throughout Downtown. Downtown ToNight added two additional weeks in honor of its 15th season and will stretch into the first two weeks of September. This year will again highlight several community events. On June 25, Missoula in Motion will present the winners of the 2015 Commuter Challenge honoring those embracing alternative modes of transportation. On July 9, the Missoula Downtown Association will partner with the Missoula Independent to bring the “Best of Missoula” winners to entertain the crowd.
“The 2015 Summer Series is sure to be exciting as we celebrate 30 years of Out to Lunch and 15 years of Downtown ToNight,” said Heidi Starrett, MDA Board President. “Out to Lunch and Downtown ToNight have become community events that are beyond compare. Both programs add an immeasurable amount of character and vitality to our unique Downtown environment. We are so fortunate to have such dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers who bring these events to fruition each year.”
Twenty-eight bands were selected from a pool of over 70 applicants to perform at each event. This year’s lineup features sixteen new bands with eleven returning favorites. There are plenty of seating options in front of the stage and under the pavilion, as well as along the Clark Fork River, making it the gathering place for Downtown employees and families throughout the summer.
With free admission, events like Out to Lunch and Downtown ToNight in Caras Park help contribute significantly to the community’s quality of life and Downtown’s economy. More information about Out to Lunch and Downtown ToNight can be found online at missouladowntown.com or by picking up one of the 2015 handbills at the MDA office located at 218 E. Main.
