Downtown was hopping Saturday with Main Street McMinnville’s Bluegrass Downtown Music, Market and More. Activities started in the morning with the grand opening of the Little Big Sound Museum and Record Store, a new business that features vinyl records of all kinds.
Highland Rim Music and Art held open mic jam sessions, inviting folks to bring their instruments and spend some time on stage.
The Warren Masonic Lodge held their first Cruise-In from 5 - 8 p.m., with 30 cars of various decades displayed around the court square.
Masonic member Ryan Mason said, “We are very pleased with our turn-out, since we are new at this. Everyone seems to be having a good time looking at each other’s vehicles and talking car talk.”
In observance of National Dance Day, folks were invited to dance to tunes provided by Marooned, a group of local musicians who enjoy playing together. Members include Billy Wood, lead vocal Brian Vinson, Joe Collier and Cody Moffitt. They have been together 3 1/2 months, and play classic rock, but will try to play any requested song. 
Main Street director Carla King said, “We don’t have many people dancing, but they are certainly enjoying this nice evening downtown, shopping, eating, looking at the cars and listening to music.” 
Tina Northcutt found her a comfy bench on Main St. where she could people-watch and enjoy the musical entertainment. The downtown area holds special memories for her growing up in Warren County, as she remembers it as a thriving business area where everyone gathered on Saturdays to do their shopping, or catch a movie at the Park Theatre.
She also especially enjoys the flowing water fountain in the park because her son Ricky donated it to the city.
“The weather is so nice tonight, and it’s great to just sit here and relax,” said Norhtcutt. “I say why sit at home, when you can sit here and have fun? I love it when we have things downtown, and don’t know why more people don’t participate.” 
Folks enjoyed strolling up and down Main St., getting a bite to eat and browsing in the various shops open for business. Friends Diane Pendergraph and Deborah Roberts did just that, and finally found themselves a place to rest, in rocking chairs in front of Et Cetera.
“We toured the museum and shopped a little,” said Roberts. “We are having a good time, enjoying the great weather, and just decided to find a place to rest our toes.”
The Heritage Museum had a brisk business, with visitors enjoying the various displays of Warren County history, as well as the current Civil War exhibit. 
When director Jimmy Haley was asked what he is most proud of in the museum, he said, “Mr. Lively is the core of this museum, the inspiration, and many pieces of McMinnville history are preserved because of him.” Haley wandered through the museum telling bits of history and interesting stories about each piece on display. One particular interesting photograph is a 1910 shot of well-known McMinnvillian Fletch Woodard. It’s one of the few photographs of Woodard in front of his downtown business, and was almost thrown out with the trash before Haley recognized it for what it was, and gave it a home in the museum. 
Taking a stroll through downtown McMinnville, talking to folks, and enjoying learning the historical facts about our town made the day fun.