First Friday Downtown Las Vegas Celebrates 11 Years of Bridging Gaps
First Friday Las Vegas, the largest arts and culture festival in the Western United States, continues to evolve and draw huge crowds from around the valley and beyond for a night of art, music, food, education and more. This October marks the celebration of First Friday’s 11th anniversary. First Friday has become the leader in Las Vegas for family friendly activities, art, community building, educational efforts, and more; mostly low cost, or free of cost activities for every age. There is really nothing quite like this monthly event.
On Friday, October 4, First Friday is ecstatic to commemorate 11 years of bridging gaps! The monthly event brings the community together to create an outlet for local artists, musicians, food trucks, culinary businesses, small businesses, families, and more. First Friday has grown into one of the largest festivals of its kind in the country, yet it maintains its neighborhood event feel and requires the cooperation of galleries and businesses in the Arts District.
First Friday will break another world record with the largest Pumpkin Organ (musical instrument actually made using pumpkins) ever made and accounted for by RecordSetter officials. The three octave pumpkin organ created by SYN Shop will be available for patrons to play and create songs throughout the evening. Check out the Welcome Tent and learn about the smart phone app Tabeso, that gives information on First Friday. The app gives users a look at all the highlights happening during the festival.
North of Charleston, enjoy the cooler, fall weather with an Oktoberfest Beer Garden provided by Newcastle with games, including life-size cornhole, and entertainment. There will plenty of opportunities to see live music at the multiple stages north of Charleston at Bar + Bistro and Artifice, with the best culinary surprises on four wheels from Vegas’ best food trucks.
FIRST FRIDAY LAS VEGAS HIGHLIGHTS:
ARTS DISTRICT
Location: Casino Center and Colorado Ave.
Art Style: Emerging and established artists, arts, crafts
Art Row is located on Casino Center between Colorado and Charleston, showcasing works by emerging Las Vegas artists. The Bazaar, located in the lot on the southwest corner of Casino Center and California offers arts and crafts from over 40 vendors. Try free, all ages art classes provided by Social Paintbrush at6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. The Art of Law returns to give free legal advice to patrons in need of guidance and answer questions about their upcoming app release at Casino Center at California. The 3rd Annual “Pumpkins Mean Business” contest returns, as local businesses battle it out for the best pumpkin on the streets of downtown with chances at prizes and, most importantly, bragging rights!
KidZone 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. is the place with fun activities for little First Friday enthusiasts. Animal Foundation returns with furry friends to play with and adopt. Kids can paint their own pumpkins to welcome the fall weather and see music from youth friendly performers on the KidZone Stage. Star Nursery will have a space to plant cool weather seeds with kids in take-home peat pots from the Botanical Interest Collection, which are GMO free.
Green Street is the place where First Friday patrons can learn about spreading the love to the environment through multiple vendors and a great place to hang out, listen to music, make friends and get green. This month, Green Street will be joined by “Green & Radiant Hero Forces,” saving the world with their green and solar powers. Lights will be supplied by DECOLights, Inc, with a solar generator from Bombard Renewable Energy, ensuring Green Street is powered as environmentally efficient as possible.
HOURS OF OPERATION:
5 p.m. – Midnight
PARKING/SHUTTLES:
Shuttle service will run from 4:30 p.m. – 12:30 a.m.
Four Open Top Sightseeing Shuttles, two Celebrity Coaches and an additional handicap equipped shuttle will make a constant loop around the entire event route. For Handicap Transportation to event, please call: 702-736-6491
There will be ample free parking as well as $5 parking lots. **If you park in unauthorized parking areas, you may be subject to towing.
Fremont Route Shuttle Stops:
* El Cortez- pick up and drop off on 6th St. across from the El Cortez valet entrance
* Arts District Hub at Colorado and Main
Government Center Route Shuttle Stops:
* Government Center
*Arts District Hub at Colorado and Main
GENERAL INFORMATION
For more information on First Friday Las Vegas, please check the website www.firstfridaylasvegas.com, the Facebook page www.facebook.com/
ABOUT FIRST FRIDAY LAS VEGAS
First Friday Las Vegas has been a mainstay of arts and culture in downtown Las Vegas for ten years. In 2011, the arts and culture festival welcomed a new ownership group, First Friday Las Vegas, LLC, comprised of Zappos.com executives Tony Hsieh, Fred Mossler and Steve Hill, as well as downtown developer Andrew Donner and executive producer Joey Vanas. The outdoor event which averages 20,000 patrons each month features several areas throughout Downtown Las Vegas like KidZone, Green Street, The Hub and Shuffle Zone that showcase artists of all calibers and genres. Stages throughout the festival feature live music, food vendors and food trucks offer the finest in cuisine and other celebratory events each month are always working to build community in Las Vegas.
