Historic Downtown Pocatello reviving neon-themed street festival with two new ones
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POCATELLO — Historic Downtown Pocatello is bringing back a once-defunct street festival with two similar events.
“Neon Street Fest” will take place on the East side of Historic Downtown this Saturday and “Welcome Back Bengals Street Fest” will take place in the same area on August 17.
“It’s going to be an opportunity for families and folks in our community to come out and enjoy some live music and some fun street vendors,” said Stephanie Palagi, president and CEO of Historic Downtown Pocatello.
“Neon Street Dance” was another neon-themed event that was gaining traction before Historic Downtown had to cancel it in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With the Center Street Underpass being closed, Historic Downtown decided that reviving the event would be a good way to bring more people to the area.
The street festival will take place within the 200 & 300 blocks of East Center Street. As people wander between street vendors wearing neon necklaces and bracelets, local musicians will perform on the Roof Top Stage over Cue & Brews.
“We’ll have street vendors out with popcorn, cotton candy, snow cones and cold drinks that are all family friendly,” Palagi said.
On Saturday’s event, Layne Brown will perform from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and The Opskamatrists from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. On August 17, Perfect Formation will play from 3 p.m to 6 p.m. and Rev’d Audio will go from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The August 17 event will also hand out free ISU shirts to those in attendance. Admission is free for both events.
Palagi hopes to see the community come back to Historic Downtown’s neon street festival.
“This is an event that we hope the community will embrace coming back to the East side of downtown,” Palagi said.