HOULTON — The Downtown Houlton Merchants Association has announced the themes for summer promotional events that will be held in conjunction with McGill’s Community Band concerts.

Dates and respective themes are as follows: Thursday, June 17, School’s Out/Dad’s Day; Thursday, June 24, Circus Time; Thursday, July 1, Midnight Madness; Thursday, July 15, Balloon Day; Thursday, July 29, Old Fashioned Memories; Thursday, Aug. 12, Earth Day; and Thursday, Aug. 26, Potato Feast Days kick-off.

On each day, special events, attractions and promotions are planned for the downtown, and many stores will remain open until 9 p.m.

The association was formed in late April to renew shopper interest in the downtown after several businesses announced that they were closing or moving to other sections of town.

“We’ve been very encouraged by the interest and support offered by community members, many of whom are not merchants, landlord’s or property owners,” said Paula Gendron, the owner of Mclaughlin’s Textiles on Main Street. “Voices of concern echo the feelings we share — that our little downtown is something special and something worth preserving.