Ripon could be the happening place Thursday nights beginning this summer.

While plans are still in the works to add wine-tasting to the annual City of Ripon Farmers’ Market – the location is being moved from downtown to Stouffer Park – the Chamber of Commerce has been busy working on a nine-week event called ‘Summer Nights.’

 “It will be held on the same nights as our Farmers’ Market,” said Chamber Executive Director Tamra Spade at last week’s Ripon City Council meeting. “They could play off each other.”

During the public discussion – this part of the open meeting allows for folks to address items not on the agenda to elected leaders –she provided a sketch of the event planned from June through August.

Spade noted that a “controlled area” of downtown Main Street, from Stockton Avenue to Nourse Street, would be sectioned off.

In it would be tables and chairs with vendors selling food and drinks. “We would also have entertainment,” she said.

Merchants would also be asked to stay open later for ‘Summer Nights,’ scheduled from 5 to 8 p.m., in order to attract customers into their downtown businesses.

Spade said she will be back for the May 20 Council meeting with more details.

Mayor Chuck Winn, meanwhile, was absent from the May 6 meeting. He was scheduled to give an update on the Farmers’ Market.

Council, instead, opted to table that item for the next meeting.