The first outdoor First Friday of 2019 is slated for May 3, and city officials are preparing for the popular event.

On Tuesday, the Shelbyville Board of Works approved closing parts of the Public Square downtown to set aside space for vendors and entertainment.

Rachael Ackley, executive director of the Shelby County Tourism & Visitors Bureau, described the setup to the board.

“We would need the interior of the Circle completely closed beginning at noon on May 3, and then on the east side, at the quadrant where Bishopp's is, the quadrant where Brammer & Yeend is, we need the cones up in that area as well. We'll have food vendors there, going in those quadrants,” Ackley said..

Asked by Mayor Tom DeBaun, who chairs the Board of Works, Ackley said she's spoken to most of the businesses and they have no problem with the closures.

Board members asked her about the Dish It Out cook-off event at the Strand Theatre last Saturday, and Ackley said it went very well.

Five high schoolers competed, and Noah Phillips took home the $3,000 scholarship grand prize.

Ackley said Phillips will preparing his winning braised pork tenderloin dish for the Taste of Shelby County festival downtown on June 7.

In other matters, the Board of Works approved a request by the local group, Addicts Lives Matter, to hold an event on June 22 at the West Washington Street Plaza, across from the old Major Hospital site.

Speakers, musicians, and information booths about addiction recovery are planned, starting at 12:30 p.m., right after the Farmers Market which also uses the site.

More information about Addicts Lives Matter is on the group's Facebook page.

And, the Board of Works continued a dog bite case until April 30 following a lengthy hearing Tuesday.

The board wanted more time to evaluate the dog owned by residents at 2201 N. Hampton Blvd.