TKR Summer of Fun Returns with New Series
Tucker has a rich history of community-led events. Tucker Day has been a staple of the spring for years, save for a quick stint in the fall due to COVID. Taste of Tucker has graced both Main Street and our tastebuds for 13 years. Christmas on Main was a longtime annual, community-run event until the City assumed its responsibility.
In 2018, when the City first raised the idea of holding a new series of events for the Tucker community, Mayor Auman was reluctant. When existing events are so beloved by many residents, it would be thoughtless at best to take away from the important volunteer efforts that make up the heart of Tucker. However, time has shown that City events have not overshadowed the work of community members. Instead, Tucker’s residents have more opportunities for fellowship and celebration, and TKR Summer of Fun has proven to be an exciting addition to our calendars.
First introduced in June 2018’s “From the Mayor,” TKR Summer of Fun began as a series of three events: Movie on Main, an Independence Day “fireworks extravaganza,” and the City’s National Night Out celebration. For our inaugural Movie on Main, nearly 300 people set up chairs and blankets on Main Street to watch The Greatest Showman. On July 3, our Independence Day Celebration featured an impressive fireworks display downtown and drew out many residents to Main Street to observe the holiday and the fun. Our second annual National Night Out was held at Livsey Elementary and served as a valuable chance for residents to learn more about local law enforcement and thank them for their service.
In the years since its inception in 2018, TKR Summer of Fun has evolved, gaining new events and losing others. Adult Field Day joined the roster in 2022 only to be moved to the fall for 2023 to keep participants out of the heat. National Night Out has moved to the fall as well. New in 2022 was the First Friday Concert Series, a sequence of concerts held on the First Friday of every month and featuring musicians Nathan Angelo, The Woodys, The Mike Veal Band, and A1A Band for May, June, August, and September respectively.
This year, new events once again join the roster to make the 2023 TKR Summer of Fun, spearheaded by the City of Tucker Parks and Recreation Department, our biggest yet. Third Thursday succeeds Movie on Main as an opportunity for residents to watch movies together. Instead of Main Street, attendees will gather at different parks around Tucker and are once again invited to bring chairs and blankets to make themselves comfortable on the Third Thursdays of May through September.
Our Independence Day Celebration returns this year. We invite you to join us July 3 on Main Street for fireworks, food trucks, and live music by Mark Ware, a songwriter and country artist hailing from Monticello, Georgia. There will be plenty of fun for the whole family including a kids zone with bounce houses and other activities.
Also returning for 2023 is the First Friday Concert Series. This year’s artists span a wide range of genres including country, Americana, 90s covers and more.
The Nashville, TN-based Sugar Lime Blue kicks off the concert series on May 5 with their unique style that combines jazz, blues and country. June 2’s performance will feature Departure, the Journey Tribute Band with a 15 year history of emulating the iconic 80s rock star look, sound and feel. Atlanta local After School Special will bring classic 90s hits to the stage on August 4. Rounding out the series on September 4, the returning A1A Band will perform their Official Jimmy Buffett Tribute Show.
Each of the First Friday Concerts starts at 7 p.m., and attendees are invited to begin setting up at 5:30. Third Thursday movies begin at 7 p.m., and the Independence Day Celebration on Main Street will begin at 6 p.m. with fireworks set to launch after 9.
