AMERICUS — On Friday, Feb. 1, Americus will hold its monthly “First Friday” downtown-wide open house. The theme for this month’s First Friday is “Loving Americus!” Downtown merchants will offer discounts, samples, giveaways, and more! Festivities begin at 5 p.m. with most shops and businesses staying open until 8 p.m. “First Friday After Dark” continues the festivities into the night after 8 p.m.
Everyone is invited to come experience the city’s art, music, food, wares, and crafts. Attendees are encouraged to paint the downtown red, by wearing red in support of National Wear Red Day in recognition of National Heart Health Month sponsored by the American Heart Association. Americus Main Street has partnered with Phoebe Sumter Medical Center to provide free blood pressure checks and provide information about National Heart Health Month. The Americus Street Trolley will provide attendees transportation during the event. The trolley will make a loop of the event and is provided by Americus Main Street, free of charge. All activities, exhibits and performances are free of charge. Maps and playbills detailing the evening’s events will be available at participating locations. More information can be found on the Downtown Americus – Main Street Facebook page.

Mobile Glassblowing Studios will have glass blowing demonstrations of glass heart paperweights and glass heart pendants throughout the evening! The Huss Foundation will host artist Sunni Zemblowski who will have artwork on display and create art live during the event. Center Stage Market will have Georgia Grown food samples, craft beer samples, and a Build-Your-Own Bath Salt station! The Americus Arts Center will be creating silhouettes and have an opportunity to create your own Valentine’s Day card at their second location in downtown — 117 W. Forsyth St. Xpert Gaming & Computer Shop will host VR play!
Attendees can also take advantage of great shopping deals downtown on Friday night. Allie’s Boutique & More, 2LC Bakery, Merle Norman Cosmetic Studio, The Kinnebrew Company, The Maze, Cafe Campesino, and the Americus Visitor Center will all be open late offering discounts, samples, food tastings, and more! Love at First Sight Ultrasound and Boutique, a brand new business in downtown Americus, invites everyone to come in and explore what they have by offering a 10 percent discount to all who wear red.
Eat, drink, and listen to live music Friday night in downtown Americus! Purchase an alcoholic beverage from any restaurant in downtown that serves and ask about the “Cocktail Caddy!” Americus Main Street will provide special cups to those restaurants that serve alcoholic beverages which will allow attendees the opportunity to walk around downtown during the event beginning at 5 p.m.
This event is organized by Americus Main Street and the City of Americus. One of the goals of the organization is to cultivate downtown Americus’ economic and cultural enrichment by providing a platform for entertainment and social engagement to the general public on a regular basis.
Americus Main Street is thankful for the event sponsors, Phoebe Sumter Medical Center and the Americus-Sumter Arts Council.