Downtown Monroe Association pumped up for hoedown

The Downtown Monroe Association (DMA) is inviting the community to come celebrate downtown revitalization during the Downtown Hoedown, a fundraising event offering an evening of drinks, dancing and live music.

The Downtown Hoedown takes place 6-11 p.m. Saturday, April 23, at the Hall at Market Place, 114 N. Lewis St. in downtown Monroe. Tickets are $20 per person, which covers two-step lessons starting at 6:30 p.m., light appetizers and live music performed by the Joe Slick Band. The Hoedown is a 21-and-over event, with ID required at the door. Beer, wine and specialty drinks will be available for purchase.

All proceeds from the event will support DMA efforts to revitalize and promote Monroe's downtown core.

"Come down and kick up your heels for a great cause,GÇ¥ said DMA president Dianne Forth. "We look forward to celebrating the revitalization of downtown Monroe with an evening of dancing, friends, food and fun.GÇ¥

Ticketholders who wish to eat dinner before the event will receive a 10 percent discount at participating downtown restaurants, including Adam's Northwest Bistro and Brewery, Big Daddy John's, Tijuana, Paradise, Jeno's, Main Street Caf+¬ and the Sky River Bakery. Guests who wish to do some pre-event shopping before their meal will receive a 10 percent discount at My L.A. Fashion clothing boutique.

Limited childcare will be available at Thrive Fitness 6 -10 p.m. to accommodate Hoedown attendees. The cost is $15 per child and covers the entire four hours. Thrive, at West Hill and North Blakeley streets, is also reserving a portion of its parking lot for use during the event. Guests should look for markers delineating parking that may be used by Hoedown attendees.

The DMA is a pending 501(C)3 nonprofit dedicated to the renovation of downtown Monroe.-á Since it was founded in August 2015, the group has implemented strategies to improve downtown aesthetics, with the ultimate goal of filling empty storefronts. Through partnerships with downtown businesses, the city of Monroe and the Monroe Chamber of Commerce, the organization hopes to facilitate a flourishing, family and visitor-friendly historic downtown.

The Monroe City Council designated $25,000 in the 2016 budget to aid DMA efforts through consulting services, which will be fulfilled by BDS Planning & Urban Design. Additionally, the DMA recently approached the council about adding decorative lighting to the downtown corridor, in an effort to brighten the area and create a more pleasing ambiance. The matter was referred to the council finance committee for further review and discussion.

The DMA is on the lookout for volunteers. The group meets 3:30-4:30 p.m. every other Tuesday in donated office space at 108 E. Main St., and 6:30 -7:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of every month at the Monroe Boys & Girls Club.

For more information on the Hoedown or to purchase tickets, visit www.eventbrite.com/e/downtown-hoedown-tickets-22756223477. For more information on the DMA, visit downtownmonroeassociation.weebly.com and the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/groups/DTMonroeWa.