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New Block Party Aims to Revitalize Downtown Telegraph Avenue <\/p>\n New Block Party Aims to Revitalize Downtown Telegraph Avenue <\/p>\n
OAKLAND, Calif. – Oakland kicked off a new block party series Thursday night aimed at drawing residents outdoors and boosting foot traffic for downtown businesses.<\/p>\n
The inaugural event, called “Oaktown Thursdays,” featured a two-block takeover of Telegraph Avenue.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It offered attendees an array of food, local vendors, and live music just ahead of the upcoming Juneteenth celebrations. \u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n
“We have all these thousands of new residents in these beautiful buildings and we need to give them a reason to get outside,” said Sean Sullivan, the founder of Oaktown Thursdays and a local merchant on the block. “I\u2019m just inspired by everybody in Oakland who keeps fighting for this city and I felt like this was another way to do that.”<\/p>\n
Increased Security Measures Implemented <\/p>\n
Given some of the safety issues previously faced by the city’s First Fridays events, organizers implemented noticeable security measures for the new series, including security guards with metal detectors.<\/p>\n
Local business owners and vendors expressed optimism that the event would reshape public perception and bring a positive economic impact to the corridor.<\/p>\n
“Oakland is not a bad city. We get a bad rap,” said Bridget Cain, owner of Proper Fashion, one of the participating vendors. “We have the right people out doing the right thing, more people will come out.”<\/p>\n
Wrestling and Community Collaborations Highlight Inaugural Night <\/p>\n
The block party featured unique entertainment and community partnerships to engage the crowd.\u00a0<\/p>\n
West Coast Pro Wrestling took center stage, setting up a ring in the middle of the street.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The group regularly hosts matches at nearby bar Fluid 510.<\/p>\n
“Pro wrestling is for everybody,” said Jaguar Montoya of West Coast Pro Wrestling. “I love the characters, I love the competition, the sports, the fact that it brings every country together.”<\/p>\n
Organizers also teamed up with the founders of the Black Joy Parade to coordinate a bar crawl during the inaugural night.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The crawl spanned four locations, starting at Muchin and ending at Lucy Liu. \u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n
The event series is scheduled to take place every third Thursday of the month through October, and some vendors have already committed to the full run.<\/p>\n
“I signed up for the whole year,” said Mikal-Michelle Kidd of Bowz by Novi. “I\u2019m very optimistic about it as well.”<\/p>\n
The Source: Sean Sullivan, the founder of Oaktown Thursdays, Bridget Cain, owner of Proper Fashion, wrestlers<\/p>\n
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