For those who weren’t in downtown Americus on the evening of Friday, March 4: you missed out on something special.
The inaugural First Friday was met with great enthusiasm from locals and visitors alike. The weather was pleasant and there was a little something-something — a buzz — in the air on the streets of downtown.
About a dozen businesses extended their hours and offered special deals, art demonstrations and exhibits, live music and free samples, while the Rylander Theatre offered free tours.
It was refreshing to see people strolling the streets of the retail trade zone, greeting friends and visiting businesses. They were a good mix: families with children, single professionals, students, groups of friends and family members and seniors. There was a sense of expectation, and everyone was respectful of each other.
We commend the First Friday Association of Americus (FFA) in hosting this first downtown-wide open house. And we congratulate the FFA on its initial, very successful event. We found it uplifting and unifying for our community.
We look forward to the next First Friday in downtown Americus, and urge everyone to take part in it. If we desire a vibrant downtown scene, we must make it happen by participating: merchants and individuals.