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Mount Airy visitors beat the heat last week by enjoying the "Celebrate Summer" event sponsored by the Mount Airy Main Street Association.

The event, which was July 20-24, included 17 downtown shops.

Ellie Bonde, promotions chair for the association, said the event was considered a success, even though hot weather prevented some people from walking around outside. Regardless, she said the event was well received and the association was pleased with the results.

"This was the first, there will be another," she said.

The event also included music downtown on Friday, including "Paul Mercer and Company" as well as the duo "Fork in the Road." Free drinks and snacks were also available, along with outdoor table sales marked by red and blue balloons.

Saturday was kid's day, with a variety of parent-directed activities, including corn hole, basketball shooting, sandbox fun, hula hoops, bubbles, sidewalk chalk, a bicycle/tricycle obstacle course and fly fishing practice. Every participating child won a prize.

Saturday's entertainment was by local group "Jane is Juliet" and Mount Airy Main Street Association volunteers were on hand with free lemonade throughout the day.

Visitors traveled from shop to shop collecting beads that, when all obtained, created a necklace or bracelet spelling out "I Love Mount Airy."

Bonde said she hoped that completed necklaces or bracelets would be seen at the Mount Airy Volunteer Fire Company carnival occurring this week.

"That was so popular," she said. "I had people call me and want to buy them."

Because of the activity's popularity, the bead search will be repeated for the group's annual History 101 event Sept. 7-14.

The event continues to grow, with two speakers coming back as well as historical re-enactors.

"It's getting bigger and bigger," Bonde said.

For information on upcoming activities, including a barbecue competition this fall, visit www.mountairymainstreet.org.