First Friday Celebrates 19 Years
First Friday Festival, a free monthly event in the Arts District Downtown showcasing local artists, musicians, and small businesses, has been a central part of the Las Vegas community since 2002.
Tonight, Friday, October 1st, the Foundation celebrates 19 years of bringing the community together to share our city’s local culture and creativity in all forms. To honor the Foundation’s core values for its anniversary, the theme of this month’s festival is ‘One World Through Art.’
Artists, vendors, and cuisine from around the world will be at the festival to share in the beauty and diversity of communities that make up Las Vegas and make this city all the more beautiful.
“It’s an exciting time to celebrate inclusivity and remember the resilience of our community, and celebrate creativity. We’re very grateful to be sharing and honoring 19 years of First Fridays with the community,” said Corey Fagan, the Executive Director of the Foundation. “There’s a long history of people bringing First Friday together; it belongs to the community and the people before us that laid the footprint and began the journey of First Friday. To continue carrying this torch for the community is a privilege.”
Honoring Those Lost
This year, with the festival landing on October 1st, a somber day in the Las Vegas community, the lives of those lost at the Route 91 Harvest Festival will be honored that night.
At 10:01 PM, Mayor Carolyn Goodman will be across the street at the Community Healing Garden, reading off the names of those lost. Her mic will be connected to the stage at the festival, where everyone will share in a moment of silence as she reads the names.
Electric candles and glow sticks will be handed out to people to hold during this time. Once the Mayor reads all of the names, we will follow on the stage with a special guest singing “Rise Up.”
Event and Foundation Information
Join in the celebrations at the festival from 5 to 11 PM this coming Friday in the Arts District. Parking is first-come on streets surrounding the festival, or $25 to park in the designated parking spaces close to the festival. Parking is also available for $5 at the City Parking Garage on 500 South Main Street with free shuttle service to the event on the Downtown Loop.
Follow the First Friday Foundation on Instagram to get the latest news about the festival.
The First Friday Foundation is also more than just a nonprofit putting on a monthly festival; it also works to “extend its community outreach efforts well beyond the first Friday of each month.”
Visit their website to learn more about the organization or donate to support local projects like art classes and murals.
