For 21 years, Nevada City's Chamber of Commerce has kept a Summer Nights street festival tradition alive and well for locals and visitors alike who gather in the historic district on warm summer evenings for music, food and hometown merriment.

“It's important to show off our community, to show our community at its best to both locals and the people from out of town,” said Janet Cohen, who was recently chosen to serve as event coordinator for Nevada City's Victorian Christmas.

She will replace Barbara Tanner, who retired this past year from her post as organizer of both events for 20 years.

In the past, Cohen was heavily involved with organizing and marketing the South Yuba River Citizen League's Wild and Scenic Film Festival. She says events like Summer Nights help keep Nevada City a vibrant community.

On the third and final night of this Wednesday festival series, hungry folk crowded the food court to sample fire-oven baked pizzas, organic crepes and tamales. People danced to live music and children jumped busily in a bounce house or squirmed while clowns painted their faces.

Besides vendors selling crafts, jewelry, gemstones and more, brick and mortar shops and restaurants opened their doors and set up tables on the streets.

“It showcases Nevada City in a nice way on a warm summer evening. People like to stroll through town,” said Cathy Whittlesey of Nevada City Chamber of Commerce.

Downtown events like Summer Nights help boost the economy by attracting visitors from out of town and help merchants connect with customers in a relaxed environment.

“It brings a lot of people from out of town because it's really classy,” said Kathy Hillis, owner of the Spring Street toy store, Mountain Pastimes. Many out-of-towners stay overnight and spend their cash at local shops and restaurants the next day, she added.

Hillis sat with Paul and Kay Drake in front of the Nevada Theatre, handing out brochures and upcoming performance schedules to passersby. All three sit on the theater board and say the event gives them great exposure to future audiences.

Summer Nights is one of many downtown community events held in Nevada City that foster a strong place-based sense of connection and sustainability.

Victorian Christmas, Mardi Gras, weekly Farmers Markets, film festivals and the Nevada City Bicycle Classic are among other events that feature the town's signature personality.

For locals, Summer Nights is a particular favorite, similar to the county fair for serving as a large reunion site for running into old friends.

“We're watching people who haven't seen each other in a long time. It's a community get together. It's neighbors and neighbors,” Hillis said.

“It's the best of small-town life. I love it,” said local resident Ursula Freymuth, as she paused to eat dinner with her daughter Rose Freymuth and Lee Kaye visiting from New York City.

The self-proclaimed former “flower child” Ursula Freymuth has lived in the area since 1974 after relocating from the Bay Area.

Kaye, who grew up in New Jersey suburbs, remarked how people in Nevada City “look different” than they do on the East Coast, wondering aloud if that's due to a combination of good food and outdoor living.

“It's definitely a good vibe,” he said, adding Summer Nights had a “Northern California feel to it.”

“It's kind of cool, it still exists,” he said.

Local farmers set up a small growers market in front of the National Hotel.

“It's really fun to do a night market … It's been excellent. People are so thrilled to see fresh produce,” said Vanessa Patterson of Willow Springs Farm, as she helped customers with fresh summer squash, potatoes, garlic and peppers.

In their second season, events like Summer Nights helps the young farm located in Penn Valley get noticed.

Drinking in the street is hugely popular and many a festival attendee is seen walking around with a beer in their hand. Above the streets, upstairs apartments and studios open up to balconies where separate parties toast the night.

It seems a glum economy has had little impact on the money people choose to spend on spirits.

As dusk faded into night, the song of laughter and revelry grew. Crowds swarmed around live performers — erotic belly dancing, jazz and Mali music. At 9 p.m. drum beats thundered down Broad Street as Beyond Fire Tribe — a band of gypsy looking fire performers — arrived in a flamboyant show of flaming juggling acts, stilt walking and seductive hula hooping in true Nevada City style.

“Nevada City is a great party town and this is a wonderful chance for people to come together to enjoy the tastes, the music and the people of Nevada City,” Cohen said.

Laura Brown is a freelance writer. She lives in Grass Valley. Contact her at laurabrown323@comcast.net.