Three staple summer events are set to return to Jefferson City this year, following uncertainty relating to the coronavirus pandemic.
During the Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce Virtual Friday Coffee, Angela Nale, with Downtown Jefferson City, and Penny Smith, with Salute to America, updated participants on the status of three popular events - Thursday Night Live, the Piccadilly in White and Salute to America.
Thursday Night Live is planned to return June 18 with a concert from The Mixtapes, a Springfield-based 90s cover band. The May event was canceled.
Nale said because the event is outside, the Cole County Health Department said they just need to maintain social distancing of 6 feet. The event will also provide hand washing stations and hand sanitizer.
"We have talked to all of our downtown restaurants, bars and businesses, and they are all very excited to get back up and going and have this event," she said. "Everybody has suffered from having to close their doors."
Nale said they will host Thursday Night Live on July 16, Aug. 20 and Sept. 10.
June's event will be the first since the building at 200 E. High St. was demolished after crumbling into Madison Street almost two years ago. Nale said the street being open will make things easier during the event.
Piccadilly in White, an annual downtown fundraiser, has been pushed back from August to October.
Nale said they chose to move the event to give downtown businesses more time to recover from the economic hit of being closed.
"Our biggest concern was going to businesses and asking them to donate and buy tickets and sponsor," Nale said. "Normally we'd start asking for sponsorships in March for this, and we didn't feel approaching businesses at this time was appropriate."
Most other downtown events typically held during this time have been canceled.
One of Jefferson City's most popular events, Salute to America, is set to be held at this time.
Smith said the Fourth of July event will go on with some adjustments due to the virus.
"We've been staying in contact with the governor's office, working with them to have a COVID plan so we are operating in the capacity they are requiring," Smith said.
Gov. Mike Parson on Thursday announced the extension of the statewide public health order for 15 days, to align with the end dates for executive orders and the state of emergency.
At the same time, Parson said summer events including fairs can still be held.
Many of the decisions around the event still need to be made, Smith said, but there will likely be changes due to the virus.
"We're pretty excited to at least have a portion of the event, and we'll continue to update people as we discuss what those areas will be," she said.