Duluth’s annual Sidewalk Days are upon us, which means businesses in the downtown will be showcasing all that they have to offer Wednesday through Saturday and embracing the essence of community in Duluth. The Sidewalk Days are capped off so to speak on Saturday night with the sixth annual Dubh Linn's street dance put on by the pub on 1st Street W and Superior Street.
The dance which is known for, depending on the weather, hosting between 2,000 and 3,000 people.
Mike Maxim, the owner of Dubh Linn’s is as excited as ever for this years celebration.
“The street dance will be started off with The Ugly Mugs, opening for Reverend Raven & The Chain Smoking Alter Boys, which we are really excited to have seeing as how large of a blues act they are,” Maxim said.
The event takes place close to Duluth's Bayfront Blues festival that occurs every summer; therefore having blues bands play is key for the bar owner.
“It’s so close to blues fest, that it gets people more excited for the event, the bands also draw in a good crowd,” Maxim said.
Maxim, however, is not the only person who is excited for the street dance to take place. Sam Bridges, a student at UMD, who stayed in Duluth for the summer is also excited for the street dance.
“I get to hang out with all my friends and go dancing and just enjoy the great weather while I get to have some drinks,” Bridges said.
With all the excitement there will be extra police officers around to ensure that the night goes without any mishaps.
Extra police enforcement will be helping out at both ends of the event, overseeing those who are let in to the event, and helping the bouncers and other security staff there to keep order at the event.
Beer tents and food tents are out to serve patrons of the event and streets will also be blocked off, to provide for ample room for the street dance to take place.
Duluth Police Officer Bill Stovern adds his input to what those who choose to partake in the event can expect.
“First St. through Fourth will be blocked off from 5 pm until noon, those who are in violation are going to be towed, seeing as it is a no park zone on those streets in the time frame,” Stovern said. “The extra police presence is there to help aid bouncers and other officers for both nights of the event”.
The street dance takes almost a full year of planning to ensure that everything is where it needs to be. It is safe to say that every moment of that was needed to make sure that all will go well as planned.