Old Hilliard district patrons will be able to enjoy plenty of entertainment this summer beginning Thursday, June 7, while strolling the newly expanded boundaries of the city's Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area.
The DORA is in its second year. It allows patrons to consume alcohol in public areas during specific times and dates within the established boundaries of the DORA.
Last year, the DORA included four establishments: Abner's Casual Dining at 4051 Main St., Otie's Tavern and Grill at 5344 Center St., Sports on Tap at 4030 Main St. and the Old Bag of Nails Pub at 4065 Main St.
Earlier this year, Hilliard City Council approved the applications of two more businesses that requested to be included in the DORA boundaries. They are Local Cantina, 3975 Main St., and Starliner Diner, 4121 Main St.
If patrons want to use the DORA, alcohol must be purchased from one of the six establishments and placed in a designated plastic cup if carried outside the premises, according to law director Tracy Bradford.
In addition, alcohol purchased at one establishment cannot be carried into a different establishment and alcohol not purchased at one of the six establishments is prohibited within the DORA.
Signs also will be posted advising patrons of the boundaries and no alcohol is permitted outside the boundaries of the DORA, Bradford said.
This year, the city will continue using the DORA during its free Celebration at the Station concert series Thursday evenings at Hilliard's Station Park, 4021 Main St. The first concert will be Doc Robinson on June 7.
The DORA will operate from 6 to 10 p.m. Thursdays starting June 7 and running through Aug. 9, except July 5. Concerts are scheduled from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Additional DORA events also will be held Saturday nights this year.
"We are ecstatic to offer a new Saturday at the Station series (during which) the DORA will be in effect," said Beth Simon, interim director of the Hilliard Recreation and Parks Department.
The events are from 6 to 11 p.m. June 23, July 21 and Aug. 4, she said. Food trucks also will be present.
In addition, Party on the Patio, another DORA event, will be held from 6 to 11 p.m. each second Saturday of the month in June, July and August, Simon said.
Other new DORA events include Get to Know Your Neighbor, sponsored by Destination Hilliard, from 5 to 10 p.m. Sept. 13 and an outdoor viewing party for an Ohio State University football game Sept. 15, Simon said.
The 8 p.m. game between the Buckeyes and Texas Christian University will be the final DORA event of the season. The DORA will be in effect from 7 p.m. to 30 minutes after the game ends.
Hilliard's Station Park also provides many activities not associated with a DORA, Simon said, including the continuation of Motivation at the Station, a yoga series at 8 a.m. each Saturday from June 9 to Aug. 4, except July 7, and a new event, Sprouts Night Out, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. June 22 and July 20. Sprouts Night Out will feature live music, food trucks and a variety of children's entertainment, Simon said.
Finally, Food Truck Thursdays at Hilliard's Station Park are from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 7 to Aug. 30, and the splash pad is active from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily but shuts off at 3 p.m. on special-event days.
For a full schedule of events, concert lineups and other activities, go to hilliardohio.gov.
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