A summer of activities in Oxford begins with a First Friday event on July 6 that features the theme of “Red, White & Blues.” The Friar’s Point Band, and a bike parade and a decorating contest for children ten and younger are highlights of the First Friday.

The line up for the bike parade will take place at the Soap Bucket on Locust Street. Participants are invited to decorate their bikes in red, white and blue. Judging will take place at 6:30 p.m., and the parade starts at 6:40 p.m. The parade will move from Locust Street to Third Street and finish at the Coatesville Savings Bank.

The First Friday fun will start a very busy summer in Oxford.

A brand new event, the Connective Art & Music Festival, will debut on Saturday, Aug. 4. Eve 6, the southern California rock band best known for hits like “Inside Out,” “Here's to the Night,” and “Victoria,” will headline on the main stage during an event that will feature dozens of musicians and artists.

The goal of the festival is to bring a diverse group of people together to enjoy art and music, and to shine a spotlight on Oxford.

The festival takes place from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and will feature a full day of entertainment and family-friendly activities, including music. There will be three stages set up in downtown Oxford: One at the bottom of Market Street near Fourth Street, a stage in Oxford Memorial Park, and one at Broad Street near Third Street and Niblock Alley.

One stage will feature a lineup of country music performers, including headliner John King. The local stage will have Moe Blues and Bethlehem and Sad Patrick, among others. The sights and the sounds of the world's cultures will be showcased on the World Music stage, which will include everything from a 15-person African drum group to a mariachi band.

There will be a battle of the bands competition and, similarly, a clash of the canvases. The Battle of the Bands winner will earn the opportunity to open for Eve 6 on the main stage. The Clash of the Canvases will be between pre-selected professional artists. Festival-goers are encouraged to watch the artists work, and in the final hours of the event, the festival-goers will have the chance to vote on their favorite pieces. Artists will each be given the option to auction off their final piece, with 50 percent of proceeds given to the non-profits organizing the Connective Festival. The winners of both the competition and auction will be recognized at the end of the event.

A gallery row of more than 20 artisans with sculptures, prints, pottery, fiber art, jewelry and more will be featured. There will also be art demonstrations scattered throughout Oxford. Teens and adults can be creative at the Art and Music Skill Share Tents.

More information about the Connective Art & Music Festival is available at www.connectivefestival.org, and on Facebook and Instagram@connectivefestival.

Another major event this summer is the return of the Oxford First Friday Car Show. The fifth annual event will take place on Sept. 7.

Last year, there were more than 300 cars, bikes, and trucks featured. Awards will again be handed out to the favorite cars, trucks, and motorcycles.

In addition to the vehicles, there will also be plenty of food and live music during the event. Dozens of vendors -- including food trucks, nonprofit organizations in the Oxford community, and merchants selling clothing and jewelry – will also be on hand. There will be plenty of activities for children, too, especially in the new Kids Zone, which will include car-themed games and activities.

More information, including registration forms, is available on the Oxford Mainstreet website at www.downtownoxfordpa.org.