The easing of open-container laws within program boundaries in the downtown and Main Street areas is both an economic development tool and a quality-of-life effort. Under the DORA program, people who buy alcoholic drinks from participating restaurants and bars can carry them around, including into participating shops.
While Kyle and Paula Vieira of Hamilton stood next to a Lane Libraries vehicle that was helping children create crafts, Kyle explained they visited the Alive After 5 event “so our son, Kase, could experience downtown.”
As for the DORA program, “I’m all for it,” Kyle Vieira said. “There’s certainly more to do than when I came here in 2005.”
People were browsing and buying in shops, and also checking out vintage cars within part of 2nd Street, which was closed off to traffic for the event.
Kelly Murphy of the Butler County Hot Rod Association said he was impressed with the Alive After 5 event, which happens on the first Thursday evening of the month.
“People are just friendly as heck,” Murphy said. His organization meets on Thursdays, and decided to hold its meeting at the Alive After 5 event. He hopes his organization can become more involved in Alive After 5, he said.
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