First Fridays are back
Looking for something to do Friday night?
From 5 to 9 p.m., Community Pavilion, home of the Main Street Farmers Market at 139 S. Main Street, Washington, will be set for the season’s kick-off First Fridays event, featuring music, art, shopping, food and activities for kids.
“We have a nice selection of downtown businesses participating this year,” said Francesca Sacco, marketing assistant at Observer Publishing Co., which hosts the event in collaboration with the Washington Citywide Development Corp. and Washington Business District Authority.
“This is really a celebration of all downtown has to offer,” said Sacco. “It’s a way to highlight local businesses and be a good community partner.”
Every month features a live performance, starting with Airborne featuring Jeff Jimerson, who sings the national anthem before Pittsburgh Penguins games.
Jimerson will be available for a meet-and-greet and will sign a donated Penguins jersey to be raffled at the end of the evening. Participants can enter the raffle for free at the Observer-Reporter booth.
Future musical acts include Radio Tokyo, Metro Band and Buckwild.
Local wineries and breweries will have samples and products available for purchase, and food vendors will offer a variety of fare including pizza, hot dogs and ribs.
First Fridays will be held every month through October, with the exception of July, because of the annual Whiskey Rebellion Festival.
In October, First Fridays will coincide with the Washington County Auto Show, which will run Oct. 5-6.
“They’re a nice complement to each other, and will give the community something else to look forward to in October,” said Sacco.
Carole DeAngelo, Observer Publishing marketing director, said organizers have three goals in mind when planning First Fridays – for people to experience the Community Pavilion, to introduce patrons to downtown shops and restaurants and to attract new businesses.
“When the idea was presented for us to host the series, I was so excited because I knew when they first built the pavilion, it would be such a boon for downtown, and it certainly is,” she said. “First Fridays is a place for families to come, have a little something to eat, enjoy some music, maybe be introduced to art and have an opportunity for some shopping, all the while boosting the economy of downtown.”
Parking is free during the festivities.
“If you want to come out with friends, have an appetizer, listen to music, and continue the evening at a local restaurant, winery or brewery, you can. But the nice thing is, this appeals to all ages. If you have children and you’d rather not go to a sit-down meal, we have options at the pavilion,” DeAngelo said. “This event is all about showing people what we already know – that there is tremendous potential and lots to do downtown.”