by Angelique Soenarie - Mar. 15, 2011 09:40 AM
The Arizona Republic

Mill Avenue Third Thursdays

This month will feature 10 to 14 gourmet food vendors and food trucks. In addition, there will be children's activities, sidewalk shopping and live music throughout the evening along Mill Avenue.

"It's just very important to create one big night," said Elizabeth Carless, Downtown Tempe Community Inc. director of marketing and communications. "It's really a good way to stimulate the economy and shop local. The goal is to become a natural destination on Mill Avenue."

The monthly activity is an effort to boost business along Tempe's downtown Mill Avenue District, which has struggled to survive the fallout of the recession and a failed condominium project.

Georgia Parker owns Sunshine & Spice, a food truck that offers Asian-themed tacos and burritos, and he participated in the inaugural Third Thursdays in February and is returning.

Parker makes and sells taco and burritos stuffed with fillings such as teriyaki chicken, Asian barbecue pork and coconut curry chicken. Her business is among several regular food trucks who participate in Phoenix's Food Truck Fridays. Parker said last month's Tempe event was soft, but hopes warmer weather will bring more people downtown.

Third Thursdays also welcomes street musicians like Jacob Tyler Lucas.

The 24-year-old acoustic guitarist and songwriter, who performs regularly on Mill Avenue, performs hits by Jack Johnson, John Mayer and Jason Mraz.He also sings originals.

"I love doing performances on Mill," said Lucas, who averages $60 in tips and sells up to three CDs each time he performs.