July 17th, 2015 is the next 3rd Friday, with artists and crafters filling the streets of Downtown Salisbury from 5pm – 8pm. From vendors, art gallery exhibitions, live music and local community groups; there is something for everyone at 3rd Friday. This month’s theme is Water World, with plenty of opportunities to cool off and have fun! 
On the Plaza, The Trinidad and Tobago Baltimore Steel Orchestra will bring us the tropical sounds of the islands! Formed in 1971, the groups performers now represent three generations of Trinidadians honored and recognized around the region and have even been named “Official Steel Orchestra of Baltimore”. Get ready to enjoy the tropical sounds of paradise! The Ward Museum will be hosting their wildly popular “fish prints” activity, Maryland Coastal Bays will join in with interactive displays and AI&G will be getting into the underwater theme with a watercolor station! Down St. Peters Alley, off the Plaza, St. Peters Episcopal Church will be offering a misting station and frozen treats and the Salisbury Jaycees will again be hosting beer and wine service, with all proceeds supporting the many community projects the Jaycees produce each year.
The Art Institute & Gallery will hold the opening reception for the “Land, Sea & Sky: Sources of Food That Sustain Us” Exhibition, from 5-8pm. Stop by for refreshments and experience the art of wonderful local artists, including a solo show by painter and author Sheldon Larmore. Sheldon will also be signing and selling copies of “Be Quiet and Listen,” a book inspired by his son’s courageous battle with Spina Bifida. The AI&G is located on the lower level of the Gallery Building off the Plaza.
On North Division, things get wet and wild! Rommel’s Ace Hardware will be bringing out their “Lil Kahuna” and “Surf the Wave” water slides, humans can take a spin through the “People Car Wash”, and take part in water balloon challenges! The Wicomico Public Library will be out promoting Summer Reading with crazy bubbles, and of course, the Bookmobile! Plus, the Coast Guard will be joining us with a real rescue boat to promote water safety!
Conspicuously absent from this 3rd Friday’s North Division activities is Salisbury University Art Galleries | Downtown Campus, which will be closed as the building undergoes renovations! The façade facelift was made possible by Community Legacy Rehabilitation Grant from the City of Salisbury in partnership with the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. Other Downtown awardees already making improvements include The Opportunity Shop, Chesapeake East, and WMDT, with more work starting soon! Salisbury University Art Galleries | Downtown Campus will reopen in August.
Down on Poplar Hill Avenue, The Salisbury Wicomico Arts Council will be creating a foundation for more activity for the East Main Street side by hosting artists and music in Lot 10. This 3rd Friday SWAC PRESENTS: “ARTS ON SWAC STREET with Ted Nichols & Drums Around the World with cameo performance by Chris English and other various artists! Great sounds & entertainment, refreshments and fun times on SWAC Street, plus Season’s Best Antiques on Poplar Hill Avenue will be open with special sales on their amazing inventory.
Headquarters Live, downtown’s all new music venue, will have emerging county artist Sara Gray, originally from Southern MD, whose opened for huge acts like Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Toby Keith and Kelli Pickler. She has just released a brand new EP and you can see her bright talent live on stage for only $5 bucks! Doors open at 7pm and the show is open for ages 18 and up.
The downtown bars and restaurants are also ready for a night filled with specials and live entertainment. For the happy hour crowd, The Brick Room will have Steve Israel from 6-9 and Roadie Joes will have live music by from Black Dog Alley 5:30 and DJ Rusty late night. Brew River will be having a Friday Night Dock Bar Party with The Bo Dickerson Band at 6PM and DJ C-Dub to close. For the after dinner crowd, Mojo’s has local favorite Flint Eastwood, and Market Street has DJ B-Side playing all of the favorites!
3F is an all-volunteer effort, a downtown economic development initiative and a project of the Salisbury Arts & Entertainment District Committee. For More Information: 3rdFridaySby.com
