WARSAW — Enjoy free food, a musical performance, and a remote control car show during First Friday from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, July 5, at the courthouse square in downtown Warsaw.

The event’s theme is “Hometown Picnic.”

There will be free hot dogs, ice cream and watermelon at the newly renovated courthouse plaza. Food vendors selling popcorn, BBQ and other treats will be set up in the city hall plaza.

A remote control car “show and shine” and a drag race will take place starting at 6 p.m. All participants must register to participate. Registration will be located in front of city hall.

“We’ve never done a drag race before, so that’s exciting,” said Paula Bowman, First Friday coordinator. “We also will have some great prizes for our winners, too.”

At 7 p.m., country music artist Janice Anne will perform with her band “Country Heart.” Janice Anne grew up in Warsaw and said she is excited to return and perform in her hometown.

As a high school graduation present, Janice Anne’s parents took her to the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, where she met country music singer Dottie West. West, who was the first woman in country music to receive a Grammy, met with her backstage after a performance.

“She took me aside and told me, ‘You remind me of me when I was young,'” said Janice Anne. “She ended up taking me back to her dressing room and gave me her phone number and told me, ‘I want to help you grow in the music industry.'”

After contacting West by phone, Janice Anne said the country singer became her mentor.

“She taught me a lot through our friendship,” said Janice Anne. “Even our age difference wasn’t that big of a deal. In my last visit with her, West said she wanted to take me on tour with her.”

Unfortunately, at the age of 58, West died after injuries sustained in a car accident. After having her first child, Janice Anne focused on singing for her kids, rather than on the stage.

“My first child is autistic, and I realized that singing for him really helped soothe him,” said Janice Anne.

In 2014, Janice Anne decided to pursue stage performances once more.

“Just coming back to Warsaw, to the hometown who made me who I am today, is very exciting,” said Janice Anne. “I’m looking forward to seeing everyone and sharing my story.”

Unlike past First Fridays, Crossroads Community Church will not host its kids’ zone at this month’s event.

Event sponsors include Old National Bank, Owen’s Supermarket, the City of Warsaw, Dr. Dane & Mary Louise Miller Foundation and Warsaw Community Development Corporation.

For more information on upcoming First Friday events, contact Paula Bowman at (574) 376-0233.