MOSES LAKE — Using what had to be done under COVID-19 restrictions as a model for social events may seem like a paradox, but that was exactly the idea behind the Downtown Moses Lake Association’s (DMLA) Summer Street on 3rd on Saturday.

The last time Third Avenue was closed to motorists, it was a reaction to an emergency, said DMLA Executive Director Lexi Smith. People put tables on the street because indoor dining wasn’t allowed.

It may have been a good idea in general, she said.

“It was such a positive thing that people really enjoyed that I wanted to do something more,” she said.

From the streets leading up to Sinkiuse Square, pedestrians strolled to summer tunes – Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Sublime, Dirty Heads – by LJ Polmateer of One SOULution and his guitar.

With Third Avenue closed to motorists, it became a calm venue for morning yoga with O2 Studios, storytime with the Moses Lake Public Library, outdoor lunch dates and street games like cornhole and ladder toss.

Despite the lifted restrictions, downtown has been pretty quiet, Smith said. So, the DMLA sought to alchemize a “nice little pedestrian energy.”

In cadence with Summer Street, many of the adjacent businesses, such as Roost Lifestyle & Design Collective, Sue’s Gift Boutique and Tykes 2 Kids held promotional events. Of course, there was a long line of lunch options, as well.

“It’s ideally to draw people into those places and to bring people downtown who maybe haven’t been down in a while to see the new furniture, see the new banners, see the businesses and just be a gathering place for the community,” Smith said.

The original plan was to throw Summer Street once a month, May through September, Smith said, but May’s restrictions made it nearly impossible to start that early.

Now, along with open mic nights downtown on July 22 and Aug. 26, Summer Street will return on Aug. 14, she said.

Starting in July, the process was much smoother, she said. Organizers kept the first one simple, but everyone seemed to like it. They’ll only expand as they go on, with more events, promotions and activities.

Seeing people outside hanging out is such an improvement to downtown’s feel, said DMLA Treasurer Denise Kinder.

Smith said that’s her favorite part: watching people bring their families and dogs and enjoy the day.

“It’s just a really nice feel, to be downtown,” she said. “Everyone’s in a good mood. The weather’s not scorching today, so it’s perfect. It’s just been a really nice day to sit out here and see people I haven’t seen in a while.”

Sam Fletcher can be reached at sfletcher@columbiabasinherald.com.