Over 20 local businesses will host the fifth annual 18^th Street Block Party from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

The Charleston Rural King will host a classic car show at 11 a.m., Home Again Consignment Shop will have live music by Ron and Jan Easter, and the 18^th Street Garden Stop will have live music by Bosco Sticks.

There will also be free carriage rides from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Coles County Department of Human Services parking lot.

Some food vendors will include Big Al’s Shake-Ups, Wildfire Mobile Wood-Fired Pizza and PJ’s French Fries as well as vendors selling kettle corn, mini donuts and other food.

Nancy Kuykendall, owner of Twice Is Nice, said her store was one of the first businesses, along with Under Cutters, to host the 18^th Street Block Party as a spring celebration.

“It’s just a family day for the beginning of spring for everybody to get out and enjoy the nice weather,” Kuykendall said.

Steve Runyon, co-owner of Home Again Consignment Shop, said the block party is in some ways “a customer appreciation day” for the businesses on 18^th Street.

“Our regular customers come back on that day because they know they will get special prices on items, they like the food and craft vendors and they like the live music,” Runyon said.

Many shops along 18^th Street will have special deals and sales.

“Whether it’s something for your bicycle or for your car, used clothing and furniture to hair products; there is something that will appeal to you,” Runyon said.

Brendan Lynch, manager of Bike and Hike in Charleston, along with friends and staff, will have the formal opening of the Woodyard Conservation Area with demo bikes available for consumers to try on the new trails during the block party.

Cayla Maurer can be reached at 581-2812 or ccmaurer@eiu.edu.