Kristi Stokes: Sidewalk Days, classic cars and Movies in the Park, oh my!

Events and promotions play a special role in keeping a community thriving, and Duluth is fortunate to have a calendar full of activities from which to choose. From large to small, we have it all.

The Greater Downtown Council is pleased to take the lead in presenting some of the upcoming events within the heart of our community.

Downtown is in the midst of gearing up for the annual Sidewalk Days Festival, which will be held July 7-9.

Take to the streets (and sidewalks), where you’ll encounter great shopping, mouth-watering food, toe-tapping entertainment and talented artists.

The community spirit really comes alive in our business district during this time. And it’s a chance for residents and visitors to experience our downtown in a festival setting.

While we block off Superior Street between Fourth Avenue West and Lake Avenue, the excitement is not limited to those boundaries. From Fitger’s to First Street — and many areas in between — there will be businesses participating in the celebration.

Shop by day and get in on the special events at night. The 10th annual Classic Car Show and Harley Revue is on opening night, July 7, featuring eight blocks loaded with classic cars and Harley-Davidson motorcycles.

The festival’s second night includes the reggae sounds of Uprising during our Rock the Block summer concert series.

Finally, the excitement wraps up with three street dances: Aces and Roscoe’s Pioneer Bar host the popular First Street dances Friday night, while Dubh Linn Pub brings the street dance to Superior Street Saturday night.

Also in July, the Greater Downtown Council will be bringing back the ever-popular Movies in the Park. The season kicks off July 16 at Leif Erikson Park with the showing of “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.”

The setting is truly remarkable, as you watch movies on an inflatable big screen with Lake Superior as the backdrop.

We’re also excited to celebrate Christmas in July with Bentleyville. The fire pits will be ready for roasting marshmallows and you may even get a glimpse of some the Bentleyville characters before the showing of “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.”

Make sure to visit our website, www.downtownduluth.com, for the full schedule of movies and other great events happening in Duluth’s Downtown Waterfront District.