Small Town Saturday Night
June 7, 2007
By JOANNA CATTANACH / The Dallas Morning News
CEDAR HILL - The city of Cedar Hill is getting back to its roots this weekend during the annual Small Town Saturday Night.
“It’s a harkening back to a simpler time,” said Patty Bushart, manager of the Main Street program and Neighborhood Services coordinator.
“People bring their lawn chairs and enjoy their evening.”
This year’s entertainment includes local favorite the Tim Jones Band, featuring lead vocalist Tim Jones, Arjuna Contreras on drums, Reginald Wright on keyboards and Fredrick Nichelson on bass guitar.
“It’s the epitome of laid-back,” said Ms. Bushart.
The festivities start at 6 p.m. and visitors are encouraged to relax and enjoy music as well as offerings from local vendors.
“Merchants in the area have evolved,” said Ms. Bushart, who described the downtown scene as ” a bit of a wedding services destination.”
Businesses such as the Southwest Corner Gallery on the corner of Cedar Street and Houston Street will have extended business hours on Saturday.
For shop owner Vicki Watkins, the downtown area, tucked away from busy thoroughfares and sterile strip malls, provides a rare atmosphere for shoppers and families to stroll and learn about the city’s history.
“I enjoy the atmosphere down here,” said Ms. Watkins, whose gallery building once served as the city’s only bank.
Constructed in 1904, the bank was robbed twice in the 1930s by the Bonnie and Clyde Gang.
To this day, she said, people still ask if there are bullet holes in the wall.
“A lot of my clients don’t even know there is a downtown,” said Ms.
Watkins, who opened her specialty shop in 1999.
She, like many shop owners, uses customer service as a way of drawing in and keeping clients.
“Know that likely when you come in, you’re going to be greeted by the person who owns the shop,” said Ms. Watkins, whose daughter also helps out.
“I’d like to see more shops downtown and restaurants,” said Mr. Jones, a resident of Cedar Hill for the past 10 years who’d like to see more growth in the downtown area.
A musician by nature, Mr. Jones also plays with the band Fingerprints and with co-workers in the Burgundy Band.
He’d like the downtown area to serve as “a place for entertainment.”
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My name is Wade Emmert and I am a Council Member for the City of Cedar Hill. This web site is a way for me to share with you some of my thoughts about issues important to the City.
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