First
Fridays Overview
An enjoyable evening for locals and visitors to experience
the artistic talent home to the Shoals and surrounding areas. Musicians will be
performing, artists will have exhibits on sidewalks, and several downtown merchants
will be open for visitors. Items will also be available for sale by artists. Come
enjoy a family-friendly environment like no other in the area, enjoy dinner downtown
then have a leisurely stroll through the arts. Join co-workers or bring your family
to experience the wonderful excitement downtown Florence has to offer. First Fridays
is currently free to participating individual artists, musicians and visitors.
The
next First Fridays in Florence event is
September 5, 2008
What:
First Fridays
When: Friday, September 5 from 5pm to 8pm
Where:
Historic Downtown Florence
Weather Updates:
Click
here for detailed local weather maps from WAFF 48 News...
First
Fridays Participation Guidelines
Step One
Everyone wishing to participate must first apply by downloading and reading
the participant
guidelines.
All participants are required to adhere
to the guidelines.
Step Two
NEW artists and musicians
may submit photos/samples of their work up to two weeks prior to the event
for jury review and approval. To register, email us at info@firstfridaysflorence.com
or mail photos/samples to us at P.O. Box 431, Florence, AL 35631.
All Participants
(Artists, Performers, Musicians, and Groups)
ALL First Fridays participants are required to register two weeks prior to each
event in order to reserve a location.
Original artist must be present
at each event, no representatives or resellers are allowed.
Returning
artists may confirm booth locations via email
or through our toll free number
at 877-290-8880.
Special notice to Group
(non-individual artist)
participants:
A total of 3 non-profit groups are scheduled per
event
Click
here to download a non-profit group reservation form
A total 2 for-profit
groups are scheduled per event
Click
here to download a for-profit group reservation form Rain
Alternates
Plans
are underway for an alternative rain location for First Fridays in Florence. Stay
tuned for updates and instructions.
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First
Fridays Introduction
First Fridays takes place outdoors on the first Friday
of every month (except January, February and March). It is coordinated by volunteers
from several organizations and the business community including
Downtown
Florence Unlimited (DFU),
City of Florence, Florence Main Street, Florence/Lauderdale Tourism Department
and the University of North Alabama.
"It is an opportunity for artists to sell and demonstrate their art and musicians
to play their music, and for people to experience the beautiful historic downtown
we have."
- Founding committee member and DFU past President Lori Davis
The nine months of art and music nights stemmed from the Florence Main Street
Program's Art Nights, which happened every Thursday in October of 2004. It has
now progressed into First Fridays, which started in August 2005. See
photos from past events.
Photo by Dave Messer
Currently there is no fee charged to artists or performers for booth
space. This is a wonderful opportunity for area artists and musicians to gain
exposure. We regularly draw interest from artists and attendees from Huntsville,
Nashville, Memphis, Birmingham, Tupelo, and other surrounding areas. We've even
had artists from Los Angeles, Atlanta and New Orleans.
Join us between
5pm and 8pm in historic downtown Florence for art, music, shopping and fellowship.
Come enjoy a family-friendly environment like no other in the area, enjoy dinner
downtown then have a leisurely stroll through a festive Court street. Parking
is available on the streets and in the City of Florence public parking garage
(behind Ricatoni's). Join co-workers or bring your family to experience the wonderful
excitement downtown Florence has to offer!
Be sure to stop in the galleries
and stores open on Court Street to find that perfect gift or one-of-a-kind arts
item you've been looking for...
all while listening to live music.
What Artists are Saying...
"I want to personally thank you for your undivided
attention at First Fridays. People were so friendly and welcoming. I am working
on several commissions that I received in your town, my event sales were good
as well. Your town is definitely one to be proud of and I am looking forward to
returning to First Fridays in Florence in the near future. I will definitely spread
the word about your First Fridays."
- Darlene Collins, Louisiana Artist
Planning
to attend our First Fridays?
Shoals
Map and Directions
Accommodations
in the Shoals
In the News...
Florence, Alabama and its downtown development
(including First Fridays events) are featured as a "wise" community
in the EPA Smart Growth publication This is Smart Growth. Read
what they are saying about Downtown Florence and its "smarth growth" development.
Visit the EPA
Smart Growth Website to download and print the full publication or
to order free copies.
First
Fridays in the Times Daily - by Shelbia Brown
First
Fridays on About.com
- by Susann
Elsass
First
Fridays in the Flor-Ala
- by Christine Fink
First
Fridays in the Courier Journal
- by
Jill Oliver
First
Fridays in Florence in the One Paper - One Paper Staff
Tools for Schools at First Friday in Florence. Click
here for a photo slide show from News Channel 19 coverage of the First
Fridays August event in downtown Florence.
2008 Schedule of Events 
