A community lunch that started last year is returning Friday to offer an inexpensive meal, free entertainment and an opportunity to spend some time in downtown Fort Dodge.

Lunch on the Square will be held in the City Square, also known as Karl King Park, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday. The price of a lunch is $6.

The lunch was started last year by Main Street Fort Dodge, and Executive Director Kris Patrick said the lunches proved to be very popular with both downtown businesses and the public.

“We’ve had a really good response from the retailers wanting to be a part of it,” she said. “They thought it was worthwhile last year.”

Lunch on the Square is held the last Friday of every month.

“We had 100 people each time come through for lunches,” Patrick said of last year’s events “And we’re planning to serve about 125 or so on Friday.”

Each lunch has different community sponsors. Friday’s sponsors are all downtown retailers.

They include Annie’s Bridal, The Dariette, Tillie’s Quilts, Dungeons and Dodgers, Euphoria Massage, Homespun Collections, Mary Kay’s Gifts & Home Decor, Nins Custom Creations, Real Deals on Home Decor, River Hops Brewing, Rosedale Water, Rush Hour Clothing and Studio Fusion.

This Friday’s menu will include pulled pork sandwiches, chips, potato salad, a cookie and water provided by Rosedale Water.

“We have great food from Jo and Richard Seltz that we’ll be serving,” Patrick said.

It will also feature a performance by Mike Zahm, a Fort Dodge storyteller and singer, who will be performing at the gazebo on the square.

All the proceeds from Lunch on the Square will be used for public events sponsored by Main Street Fort Dodge. This includes an Oktoberfest event planned for Sept. 28.

Patrick said Lunch on the Square provides an opportunity for people to spend time in downtown Fort Dodge in an area they may not be as familiar with.

“The Karl King Park by the library is one of the most beautiful spaces in the downtown,” she said.

She added that everybody is welcome to come to the lunch.

“We are sponsored by 11 of our downtown retailers that are looking forward to having a chance to say hi to everybody and share downtown with with the clients and residences in downtown,” she said. “Lunch is only $6. What a deal — you can’t beat that.”

Two more Lunch on the Square events are scheduled for this summer; one is July 26 and the other is Aug. 30.