The second “Third Thursday” event of the year is coming up this week on June 20 in downtown Danville. Started in 2022, “Third Thursdays” are full of pre-weekend fun, featuring extended hours for shopping and eating downtown.

This month’s “Downtown Adventures” event invites community members to explore the food, shopping, and activities available in Danville’s historic business district. Vendors from the Boyle County Farmers Market will join in the fun by hosting pop-ups throughout downtown, setting up shop on the sidewalks in front of favorite brick-and-mortar shops like The Derby Shoppe and Maple Tree Gallery.  Market favorites including Noodlecraft, Lemonade on the Rocks, Honesty & Herbs, and Good Thyme Family Farm are among the participating vendors.

In keeping with the theme of “adventure,” five downtown boutiques are organizing themed shopping nights for the event. Customers who spend at least $25 in any of the five stores will be entered to win a $125 Danville KY gift card, redeemable at any one of the five shops. Purchasing from multiple stores will provide multiple entries in the drawing. The participating stores are:

• CAMP – “Escape to the Lake”
• Cerci on Main – “Jewelry Adventure”
• Derby Shoppe & Raggs – “Beach Beauty”
• Maple Tree Gallery – “Birthday Adventure” (celebrating one year of ownership by Jennifer Ahnquist)
• Plaid Elephant Books – “Reading Safari.”

In addition to shopping opportunities, the Boyle County Public Library is kicking off a week-long Downtown AdventureQuest on Third Thursday. Inspired by the summer reading theme of “Adventure Begins at Your Library,” the library team has created an interactive downtown mystery.

The premise of the Quest is that a fictional character – world adventurer Betty Boyle – is lost in downtown Danville. She was on her way to Mount Everest in her Cessna when she was forced to make an emergency landing on Main Street. Upon inspecting her plane, Betty discovers it may have been tampered with. Community members are invited to join Betty on a downtown adventure to discover who is trying to ruin her voyage.

To participate in Betty Boyle’s Downtown Danville AdventureQuest, mystery-lovers of all ages can download the Beanstack summer reading app to follow the story, view video clues, and earn electronic badges. At each of ten participating locations, scan the QR code on the challenge poster in the business’ window, and enter their secret code into the Beanstack app. Collect all the challenge badges and be entered into a drawing to win a tote bag full of summer reading goodies.

For more information, email jschroeder@boylepublib.org or call 859-238-READ. The Library will also have an informational table set up on Third Street during the Third Thursday festivities to introduce and explain the AdventureQuest.