Hordes of people hit the bricks Saturday for an annual day of free fun, local attractions and a growing sense of community.

During the 11th annual Doors Open Jamestown event, residents and visitors were welcomed into restaurants, recreations and retailers across the city and surrounding area.

Jones Valhalla Restaurant was full to the gills with hungry patrons during the event.

Between the special menu items, hearty baked goods and fresh brewed Dalahast Coffee Roasters’ coffee, Sean Jones, owner, said the crowd seemed highly pleased.

“We had two specials today: a bagel with two scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese and prime rib sandwich and an open-face, oven-roasted pork loin sandwich on pumpernickel with mixed greens, red onion, avocado and a honey balsamic glaze,” Jones said, adding he thought the day was a success.

He said it’s a great event to take part in every year and provides opportunity to the city and local residents.

“It gets a lot of different locals to come downtown who might think we don’t have anything going on down here,” Jones said. “Maybe they can see why we do have a lot of tourists coming in during the summer. It’s nice to have events like this.”

He said there are a lot of people who haven’t experienced the unique opportunities for fun available.

“There is a big demographic of local residents who truly don’t realize what wonderful things we have downtown,” Jones said. “You have to be willing to look at your own backyard and support it.”

Supporting local business is especially important in Jamestown, he added.

Jones Valhalla Restaurant is located at 306 North Main St., and is open Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Lucille Ball Little Theatre of Jamestown offered visitors refreshments, prizes and an in-depth tour of the theatre.

Helen Merrill, production director, said the theater had seen quite a few people over the course of the day and she was glad to be a part of the event.

During the tour, Norm Merrill, set designer and building superintendent, showed off the often hidden back-of-house spaces to the visitors including highlights such as the backstage wings beside the stage, dressing rooms, the make-up room, the “green” room, prop rooms and last of all, the stage itself.

The ‘green’ room is a gathering place for actors and their director before the show for a pre-show pep talk and a lounge for actors waiting to go on stage. The name is often used even if the waiting space is not green. At the Little Theatre, the room itself is not green, but rather white and filled with comfortable furniture and a sewing area.

“As Little Theatre, this is our 80th season,” Merrill said. “The only reason I know is because I’m going to be 80.”

The theatre was renamed as such in 1936 by George and Harriet Warren who assumed directorial duties. The theatre moved to its current location in 1968, and Lucille Ball contributed $5,000 toward the building fund.

In 1989, the theatre added “Lucille Ball” and a formal ceremony was held in 1991.

For more information on the theatre, visit lucilleballlittletheatre.org or like them on Facebook.

The BioDome Project had a variety of refreshments available to tide guests over on their downtown escapades as well as local merchandise and crafts from artisans across the area.

Angela Caley, co-owner of the shop, said some of the available items are made by herself and two other co-owners, Ryan Peterson and Bill Thomas.

“We’re going on the two-year mark (of being open) this spring,” Caley said. “All these items are made by fellow community members. We’re here to help support the local economy.”

She said the event really opened people’s eyes to what there is to see and do in Jamestown.

“I feel like it draws a lot of people downtown,” Caley said. “There are still people who think there isn’t anything downtown.”

She said there are a lot of people throughout the area who have opened small businesses because they are very driven or they haven’t found a place where they fit in amid other industries.

Or, it could be a combination of both, Caley added.

She said the BioDome Project offers a variety of goods and there are often new products every week.

The store is located at 207 Pine St. and is open from 128 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and from 126 p.m. on Saturday.

For more information visit www.biodomeproject.com or like them on Facebook.

The DykemanYoung Inc. Gallery and Vintage Emporium offered patrons a sample of antique and fine products from a variety of areas as well as a one-of-a-kind gallery of art for the event.

Mike Dykeman, gallery owner, said he thought Doors Open Jamestown has gotten stronger and stronger over the past few years.

“It brings people out. It’s very good to get people out and discover what’s downtown,” Dykeman said. “The weather is great today, so it’s a perfect day to get out.”

He said he is a former member of the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts board member, and was often involved in the event in those days.

Dykeman said while he was volunteering, he recalled hearing many Jamestown residents saying they had never been in the theater before.

By offering the opportunity for visitors to get into the attractions and businesses downtown for an insider view, he said it became a unique experience for many participants.

“It’s a positive for the community,” Dykeman said. “The reaction is very positive.”

The gallery is located at 100 E. Second St. and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 17 p.m.

Other attractions, restaurants and retailers involved in the event included: Audubon Nature Center; Busti Grist Mill; Chautauqua County Sports Hall of Fame; Fenton Historical Center; Infinity Visual and Performing Arts; Jamestown Savings Bank Arena; Jamestown Gateway Train Station; Lucile M. Wright Museum; Lucy-Desi Center for Comedy; Martz Observatory; James Prendergast Library; Reg Lenna Center for the Arts; Robert H. Jackson Center; Roger Tory Peterson Institute; Brazil Craft Beer and Wine Lounge; Sully’s Pub; Lori’s Kountry Kafe; Caribbean Diner and Foods; Lisciandro’s Restaurant; Fresco Pizza and Wings; Babalu Cafe; Gialy’s; Taco Hut; The Cherry Lounge; Harvest time Cafe and Pizzeria; Landmark Restaurant; Jamestown Wine Cellar; Hometown Grill; Candy Bar in Frewsburg; Boomerang Cafe in Busti; Nouveau Home Boutique; Liquid Monkey; Jamestown Hydroponics; Gifts, Decor and More; Discount Discs/Collectors Paradise; Jock Shop/Jamestown Cycle Shop; Phoenix Rising Wellness Studio; Trinity Guitars; and Chautauqua Music.

For more information on the event, visit jamestownupclose.com.