Stepping away from a return of a three year run for the All For Benny gala downtown dinner this year, the Clinton County Community Foundation is gearing up for a new event that is designed to bring renewed life to the downtown Albany area.
Albany Nights is set for Saturday, September 30, staged as an event designed as an “old school” event with the hopes of getting the community back out on the weekends in the downtown Albany area to interact with each other.
Jessica Owens Sullivan, one of the members of the Board of Directors of the Clinton County Community Foundation (CCCF), told the Clinton County News in an email announcement that Albany Nights will combine business vendors around the square and surrounding downtown area, live music and a 6:00 p.m. main emphasis that will bring back memories of years ago – circling town in vehicles.
Sullivan noted that circling town was for many years a mainstay weekend event for local youth, and as the town and times changed, so did the routes.
For many, an Albany circle event began at the Clinton County Courthouse, around J&K Drive-In and then to Smitty’s Drive-In, on to the Cardinal or Red Ace station, all in south Albany, then back to town – and all over again, and again, and again.
Harvey’s gas station was a turn around spot for many, while others ventured further north to the Craft Car Wash parking lot for a quick trip to the soft drink vending machines before heading back south again.
In later years, the route shortened to the “Y” in north Albany, then the tradition all but died out.
Albany Nights is an effort to bring a crowd back to the downtown area for Saturday night fun, music, shopping, and of course, cruising.
Sullivan stressed that while the CCCF realizes the September 30 date is close to the mid-October Foothills Festival dates, the organization in no way is attempting to compete with the traditional fall festival, but rather an opportunity for a warm weather gathering and cruise.
She also noted that the cruise wasn’t just for those with vintage or show quality cars, but for “everyone who knows how to turn around at the edge of town, come back up to the Y, and turn back again.
Businesses are being urged to participate with special shopping hours, setting up at their downtown storefront or at a spot at the courthouse area, and to run special deals, especially on fall-related seasonal items – especially home decor related goods.
Additional details or questions can be addressed by Sullivan, or any of the CCCF Board of Director members.
“We love Albany, and we know that you do too,” Sullivan said in the email announcement. “Let’s show all the youth of our community what a weekend in Albany is supposed to look like!”