MARSHALL — The newly-reconstructed block of Third Street in downtown Marshall was designed to be pedestrian-friendly. This summer, Marshall area event organizers are planning to put it to use.

On Tuesday, the Marshall City Council approved a request from the Marshall Convention and Visitors Bureau to bring Thursdays on Third back for three dates this summer.

Visit Marshall was asking to close Third Street downtown on July 18, Aug. 15, and Sept. 19. Each of the events would be from 5-8 p.m.

“We’ve been working with both the Marshall Chamber of Commerce and the Farmers Market Association on putting this event together,” said Visit Marshall Director Cassi Weiss.

So far, the event had a food truck and live music planned for Thursdays on Third.

“Our goal is we are going to try to get 10 vendors down on third Street, shut the street and the alley down, and do it three times throughout the year,” Weiss said.

Each of the dates Weiss was requesting were timed to go along with other festivals in the city of Marshall. For example, July 18 was Crazy Days, so Third Street would already be closed to traffic on that date, she said. The Aug. 15 date coincided with the Lyon County Fair, and the Sept. 19 date coincided with Prairie Jam.

Weiss said Thursdays on Third organizers reached out to the Marshall Downtown Business Association and business owners on Third Street. Both groups were supportive, she said.

“I’m really glad to see that the Third Street plaza is going to be tested,” said council member Craig Schafer.

Weiss said there could still be some changes to the layout of Thursdays on Third before the first event in July. Organizers hoped to learn from this year’s Juneteenth celebrations in Marshall, which will feature a lunchtime event with food trucks and music on Third Street.

“We’re excited to see how Juneteenth does it, and what the space looks like with food trucks and a stage,” Weiss said.