ASHLAND — With sunny skies forecast for Friday, the June rendition of Downtown Live and the First Friday Art Walk in downtown Ashland is expected to be an outstanding start for the series of summer events focused on local arts, music and creativity.

“First of all we’ve got great weather happening. That’s what I’m excited about,” said Ashland Main Street Executive Director Danny Craig, who quickly added the sunny day should also attract a great gathering of classic, antique and custom cars, trucks and motorcycles to the blocked-off section of Winchester Avenue, as well as a warm welcome for the inflatables being provided by first-time participant B.C. Tool Rentals of Ironton. Craig said automotive enthusiast and downtown business owner Denver Jobe “does an outstanding job” coordinating the individuals and area car club members who bring their vehicles out for the monthly gathering.

Live music on the street will begin with a performance by Gary Kesling and Mike Fitzpatrick, members of the local band The Return, who will play a one-hour set on the stage at Judd Plaza starting at 5:30 p.m., followed by a concert from the Ashland/Huntington based band Split Nixon, who has toured extensively with some of the most recognizable names in modern rock music.

“They are extremely good. Their songs are really good. I think people will dig their show. I can’t believe we got them,” Craig said.

In addition to the live music and a variety of vehicles, Craig said people attending the First Friday Art Walk and Downtown Live will also have opportunities to enjoy dance exhibitions and performances on the street.

“There will be dancing on the street throughout the evening,” Craig said, explaining the dance styles will range from international to modern.

Visitors will also have an opportunity to get an up-close look at, and a ticket for a chance to win, a Model T Ford that is being used to generate funds for a winter coats for kids campaign, he noted.

Craig said the Ashland Main Street board of directors is also especially excited to have a local farmers’ market in the mix for Friday’s celebration.

“We have been working on getting an organic market for the last three years and honestly we have not had a lot of luck,” Craig said, explaining the Main Street board looked to the city of Lexington for an example of a successful farmers’ cooperative. “This could be the beginning of our co-op market.”

Boyd County Fine Arts Extension Agent Molly Maynard will be bringing a large amount of colored chalk, as well as sno-cones and popcorn, and encouraging children and adults alike to add a splash of color to the downtown scene.

“We will be give the kids chalk and let them fill Ashland with their imagination and emotion,” Maynard said. “It is open to all youth and I probably won’t tell any adults ‘no’either!” Maynard said she will also have information about the new arts program and hopes to find volunteers as well as potential members among the First Friday crowd.

As the sun sets, Craig said he is also pleased to announce a partnership between Ashland Main Street and the Boyd County Library to present an outdoor screening of the animated film “Despicable Me,” adding a reminder for people who want to enjoy the film to “bring your lawn chairs.”

Even with the array of things to see and do on the street, Craig said Ashland Main Street members always want to maintain the focus of First Friday as a way to present the works of local artists at the Pendleton Arts Center.

“It is fine art. There is some really high quality art inside the Pendleton as well as at the Upstairs Gallery and The Frame Up Gallery. There is everything from hand-made jewelry to stained glass and gourd carvings,” he said. “This all started because of the visual arts and we do not want to forget that Downtown Live is here because of the visual arts.”

With a big smile, Craig said he is also personally looking forward to Friday’s gathering downtown.

“This should be a huge First Friday with the weather cooperating. It’s exciting because we’ve had such questionable weather since last October,” he said. “Of course it is hot, but to me right now ... hot is cool.”

TIM PRESTON can be reached at tpreston@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2651.