The main streets in downtown Muncie were crowded with people walking in and out of local businesses Thursday evening during the seventh annual ArtsWalk.
Muncie Downtown Development Partnership sponsored the event, which encourages the community to stop by and learn about local artists.
"[ArtsWalk] is just the first Thursday on steroids," Cheryl Crowder, program manager for Muncie Downtown Development Partnership, said.
Local businesses such as Dandelions, Toys Forever Models & Hobbies, The Artist Within, Kirk's Bike Shop and many others displayed different forms of art.
Dandelions kicked off with its first big sidewalk art sale with flowers, bowls with decorative art and vases on display in front of the shop.
"It's great exposure," Lisa Pritchett, owner of Dandelions, said.
Kirk's Bike Shop had 2011 bikes on sale, with 20 to 40 percent off. Other bikes and accessories were 15 percent off.
"We have new 2012 models in stock now that we're showing off or showcasing," Jason Allardt, owner of Kirk's Bike Shop, said.
Kirk's Bike Shop participates in the ArtsWalk every year in October. Though the event doesn't increase sales, it does get people's attention, he said.
The shop even increased its closing hour from 6 to 8 p.m. to show viewers more of a chance to see what they have to offer, Allardt said.
"It's nice to see more people downtown on a week night," he said.
Booming with customers, Toys Forever Models & Hobbies displayed their new location. The store will be moving from 311 South Walnut St. to 300 South Walnut St.
Toward the end of South Walnut Street, the 2011 Yart show displayed sidewalk art. All artwork sold there was no more than $40.
Vecino's Coffee Gallery had people inside hanging out and listening to live music. Outside, a little girl in a pink tutu handed out flyers for the Muncie Ballet and Sparkle Tea Party.
Melissa Livermore, a Ball State freshman and photography major, said she brought a group of her friends to see all that downtown Muncie had to offer at ArtsWalk, to enjoy the art and the good weather.
"I enjoy seeing the different artists and getting ideas," she said.
Ball State students were also displaying artwork in the event. Freshman Myles McCoy stood outside guarding an art gallery.
McCoy was there for FRESHstART, an organization on campus. He said the organization was out there to connect with local artists.
"It's a way for us to interview, learn what we can do and network," McCoy said.
The variety of restaurants, including Vera Mae's Bistro, were packed because of the Soup Crawl. Vera Mae's Bistro sold tickets $15 tickets for the Soup Crawl in front of the restaurant. The new event was a fundraiser that benefitted Second Harvest Food Bank in Muncie.
Though each individual business had its own art and costumers, Crowder said the event is all about support for the community as a whole.
"It's not about the individual things going on, it's the large groups of people down here enjoying it as a neighborhood," she said.
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