OctoberTour Night Out in downtown Salisbury

Blonde Blues will perform at OctoberTour Night Out.

Everybody is invited to join Downtown Salisbury merchants this Friday from 5-10 p.m. for "OctoberTour Night Out," a free event featuring live music, fun for the kids, late night shopping and delicious downtown dining.

There will be music and entertainment all over town, featuring WNC Blues Society members, Blonde Blues.

With more than 70 years' experience between them and influenced by blues greats from Etta James to Stevie Ray Vaughan to Susan Tedeschi, band members Cindy Adams (vocals), Michael Creech (lead guitar, vocals), Marty McCall (drums, percussion) and Michael Martin (bass) look forward to leading off the 10th anniversary weekend of the Blues and Jazz Festival with their own style of "hot" electric blues.

More live music awaits in downtown Friday night with Ned Lucas Band at The Blue Vine, Marte Maney and Friends in front of Okey Dokey & Co., and Pastor G and Outreach at Bible Book Store.

And for theatre fans, there's "Aladdin, Jr." at Piedmont Players Theatre (ticket information, 704-633-5471) and Lee Street Theatre's inaugural show, "Mad Hatter Tea Party," at Looking Glass Artist Collective in Rail Walk at 407 N. Lee St. (704-213-7050 for information and tickets).

As always, there will be free trolley rides; activities for the youngsters such as moon bounces, face painting, and Wacky Doo the Clown; entertainment and music around Downtown; carriage rides; and extended merchant hours.

Restored classic cars will be on view in the Farmers Market lot.

The Carolina Artists' outdoor gallery will be located on East Innes Street.

This event serves as a fun prelude to a full weekend, with the Historic Salisbury Foundation's 33rd annual OctoberTour tour of homes Saturday and Sunday (704-636-0103 for tickets and information) and the 10th annual Blues and Jazz Festival Saturday afternoon and evening (704-636-2811 for more information — bring a lawn chair!).

Presenting sponsors F&M Bank, Food Lion, Cheerwine, Wallace & Graham PA, and Rowan Regional Medical Center invite people of all ages to come downtown Friday.

Enjoy the music, cruise around on a trolley or carriage, or simply enjoy the refreshments that many of the downtown establishments will be offering throughout the evening.

OctoberTour Night Out will take place, rain or shine, so come downtown and discover why "75 Shops and 15 Restaurants create One Special Place."

For more event information, call Downtown Salisbury Inc. at 704-637-7814 or visit www.downtownsalisburync.com.