August First Fridays in Adrian has a busy lineup of events for 'A Night at the Movies'

ADRIAN — There will be a little bit of everything happening throughout Adrian for the August edition of First Fridays titled “A Night at the Movies.”

From a classic car cruise to performances of Shakespeare in the Park, and from a movie showing in the streets and more, people can make themselves busy in and around downtown Adrian.

Here’s some of the things to look forward to during Adrian’s Aug. 2 First Fridays:

Three ‘unique’ events taking place at Adrian Armory

A classic car cruise, sponsored by the Adrian Armory Events Center and the Adrian Meijer store, will run from noon to 4 p.m. The route will go from Meijer, north on Winter Street to West Maumee Street, then left to run in front of the Adrian Armory, then left onto Church Street and back to Winter Street toward Meijer and back again.

Cruisers will be able to line up in the west parking lot at Meijer before noon, a news release from the Adrian Armory Events Center, 230 W. Maumee St., said.

The car cruise will serve as a precursor to another classic car show happening from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Lenawee County Fair & Event Grounds in Adrian, 602 N. Dean St.

The Armory, which celebrated its 100th birthday in July, will serve as a pit stop for the cruising participants. Food and refreshments have been donated by Meijer and will be available for donation, which will benefit American Veterans AMVETS Post 1957 in Adrian. Additionally, building tours will be available in celebration of the Armory’s 100th anniversary and its history of service to the community.

More: Adrian Armory's past, present and future will be topic of open house planned for July 5

Residents are encouraged to watch the car cruise from their lawn chairs along the route. There are several public spaces for viewing the cruise, including Comstock Park, 263 W. Maumee St.

The second “unique” event at the Armory is a special recognition for veterans by Sen. Joe Bellino, R-Monroe, who, along with guest speakers, will present a proclamation, honoring veterans and especially those who served at the Armory during its long history.

The ceremony is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Friday and there is no need to RSVP, said Mary Murray, president of the Adrian Armory Community Center.

“We would love for veterans who served at the Armory to see how it’s changed and stayed the same since the recent renovations,” Murray said in the news release.

The Armory received an overhaul, starting in 2017. It currently holds formal and informal events —everything from meetings to corporate celebrations and to weddings. A maker's kitchen was installed in the building and supports food entrepreneurs as part of the Launch Lenawee business development program.

The final activity happening at the Armory on Friday is on-the-spot car appraisals by Rusty Wrench Auto Appraisals of Adrian. Not only will the appraisals be offered at a discounted rate, but the organization will donate additional money to AMVETS for each appraisal.

“This is a great event to support veterans and get a car cruise in before summer is up,” said Rusty Russell, owner of the appraisal company, who advises classic car owners to get an updated appraisal on file with their insurance company.

Shakespeare in the Park debuts on Friday, continues through weekend

Several live performances of the comedy, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” presented by the new Adrian Shakespeare Co. will debut in Adrian’s Trestle Park, 302 W. Hunt St., at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 2.

The performances, which are free of charge to patrons of all ages, also are scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 3 and 3 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 4.

The Adrian Shakespeare Co. is the brainchild of two longtime fixtures in the local theatrical community, Steve Kiersey and John MacNaughton. MacNaughton serves as the play’s producer, while Kiersey directs the production.

Anyone interested in financially supporting the Adrian Shakespeare Co. can do so through the Lenawee Community Foundation by visiting lenaweecommunityfoundation.com .

Read more about this weekend’s debut performance of the Adrian Shakespeare Co. at lenconnect.com .

First Fridays features ‘Wonka’ at dusk

The 2023 family/musical film “Wonka,” starring Timothee Chalamet as Willy Wonka, will be shown at dusk along the streets of East Maumee Street in downtown Adrian. But the fun is scheduled to start much earlier.

Carnival games, mini putt putt, a rock-climbing wall, live music with The Metros, dance performances from the Adrian Junior Majorettes and Pom, and much more will start at 5 p.m. and continue until 8 p.m. All activities are free of charge.

Downtown Adrian businesses will be offering deals, discounts and specials in observance of the First Fridays events.

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The Adrian Moose Lodge and Family Center No. 1034, for example, will be serving $6 quarter-pound junior burger baskets, $6 bratwurst baskets and $4 hotdog baskets, all including French fries, from 3 to 7 p.m. The Adrian Moose is at 111 S. Main St. All meal deals are available to the public and to member of the Moose. Root beer floats also will be available for $2.

Those wanting to place an order for pickup can call the Adrian Moose at 517-263-8023.

For more information about First Fridays in Adrian, visit the Downtown Adrian Facebook page or the Adrian First Friday Facebook page.

— Contact reporter Brad Heineman at bheineman@lenconnect.com or follow him on X, formerly Twitter: twitter.com/LenaweeHeineman .

This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: August First Fridays in Adrian has a busy lineup of events for 'A Night at the Movies'