First Friday to have live music all evening, new events this week

Downtown Greencastle will come alive with music, new activities and grand openings for the monthly First Friday on Oct. 2.

If the weather is good -- and the forecast is currently calling for a fall-like high in the upper 60s and low around 45 on Friday -- the bands will both play outdoors on the square.

The First Friday music is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. this week with Mike Balka and The Professionals performing until 8 p.m. on the stage on the north side of the courthouse.

Balka's group will be followed by the popular local group War Radio, playing outside from 8-11 p.m. War Radio normally performs on First Friday but has previously done so inside The Swizzle Stick.

Meanwhile, three new businesses will be taking advantage of the growing First Friday crowd to have coming-out parties for their enterprises.

ReMax, located in the renovated old J.C. Penney storefront at 2 N. Jackson St., will celebrate its grand opening with a noon ribbon-cutting ceremony, an open house at the office from noon to 2 p.m. and a large "cold-air" balloon on the square from 6-8 p.m.

Cricket's, housed in the restored carriage house space owned by Kim and Tim Shinn on Vine Street near Poplar, will have its grand opening sale from 5:30-10 p.m. The store offers have a selection of women's and children's clothing plus lots of accessories.

Meanwhile, Indonesian Imports, a new enterprise in the former Downtown Cafe space on the square at 2 W. Washington St., will have its grand opening on Friday with extended hours and refreshments. Everyone is invited to visit its collection of Indonesian and Chinese imports.

Among other events planned for the October First Friday, Main Street Greencastle will be having a Tribute/Memorial Balloon Liftoff. Balloons will be available for $2 and the liftoff will be at 7 p.m.

Other activities will include:

-- A free pumpkin giveaway on the grassy lot on the south side of the square.

-- Almost Home/Swizzle Stick grilling out for dinner while offering a beer garden.

-- Putnam County Hospital Cancer Center will have a booth with informational pamphlets and giveaways.

-- Mental Health Association of Putnam County distributing brochures, candy and give-away items for children.

-- Pap's Creations with metal yard art created by John Crosby.

-- JJ's LPs with old vinyl LPs creatively heated and fashioned into bowls, book ends and more.

Other First Friday events happening just off the square include:

* Paws on the Patio at The Inn at DePauw, 6-8 p.m.

-- Pack up your pup for live music and great drink/food specials (all dogs must be leashed).

-- Doggie Dinners will be available (all proceeds go to the Humane Society of Putnam County) and a portion of all total food and beverage sales will benefit the society as well.

-- For those who want to hang out on the patio, enjoy other dog owners, eat, drink, enjoy the music and have fun, the inn will have treats, water bowls and everything your dog needs while away from home.

* First Fuzzy Friday at the Putnam County Public Library.

-- The library is planning K9 demos by the Sheriff's Department and others, along with shelter animals, etc.

The Putnam County Library is also partnering with the Greencastle Arts Council and Greencastle Photography Club who will put on a fuzzy themed photo exhibition in the library.

* The Arts Council will also have an interactive art piece, a large chalkboard mounted in front of Shinns' Vine Street property on which people will respond to the prompt "Before I Die ..."