Wednesday evening kicked-off the first installment of “Pop-Up Piazza” in downtown Renton, a happy hour-type venue designed to get residents and visitors into the city.

A good-sized crowd spread out over the Piazza at Third Street and Burnett Avenue. All took in the sounds of Hawaiian band Tribal Order, while some congregated in the outside beer and wine garden. Still others lined-up for the delights of food trunk vendors that lined a portion of Third Avenue.

Renton resident Pat Wilson heard about the event on Facebook and was drawn by the prospect of good burgers from one of the food trucks. She brought along her daughter and husband and thinks Renton needs more events like “Pop-Up Piazza.”

“It’s always nice to try stuff without having to go downtown to Seattle to try the different food trucks,” Wilson said.

Wilson and her family are just the kind of folks organizers are hoping to attract with this latest venture. “Pop-Up Piazza” is sponsored by the Renton Community Marketing Campaign and created to bring an array of food trucks, beer and wine and entertainment to the downtown Piazza the first Wednesday of each month: Aug. 5, Sept. 2 and Oct. 7.

“We’re hoping that people will come here for happy hour, then go into the restaurants and shops and shop, dine and play,” said Vicky Baxter, CEO of the Renton Chamber of Commerce.

Every event will have a different theme. This first “Pop-Up Piazza” had a Hawaiian theme and the next event will feature “arts and other surprises.”

For more information, email info@RentonDowntown.com or call 425-430-6589.