ATHENS-When the work week ends this Friday, downtown Athens will be alive with shopping, dining, an Elvis sighting and pitching horseshoes.
Fridays After Five begins Friday, July 10, from 5 -8 p.m. in downtown Athens and will continue on the second Friday of each month through October.
Spirit of Athens Executive Director Trisha Black said citizens have asked the downtown area to do a monthly event so retail businesses would stay open later.
Trisha Black
“I met with a group of merchants in June, and we brainstormed and came up with the Fridays After Five concept,” Black said.
She said the downtown merchants are committed to the project, and participating merchants pitched in $20 each to offset the cost of posters, postcards and other advertising. Other vendors have paid to set up downtown as well.
An Elvis impersonator will bring the King to the celebration for Blue Suede News at Athens State University’s Center for Lifelong Learning. Elvis will be in the building from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and will be available for photo ops. The King’s appearance also promotes the center’s upcoming trip to Memphis. Those interested in the Memphis excursion can get information at the Fridays After Five event.
Lillian Glanton will perform from 6 to 7 p.m. near the Spirit of Athens office. Glanton sold some of her Black Baldy cattle to pay for recording session time to record her original songs at the world famous FAME Recording Studio in Muscle Shoals. While there, she met the Rick Hall, founder of FAME.
Whistlin’ Dixie will perform at High Cotton Arts, where spectators can also enjoy a glass of wine.
“We are interested in talking to other musicians and artists who would want to 
participate in our Fridays After Five events,” Black said.
Those interested can contact Black by calling 256-278-6436.
There will also be recreational activities, including a golf corn hole putting game, a putting green and horse shoes. These activities will be set up along Washington Street.
“I love seeing the energy we have downtown thanks to our merchants and Spirit of Athens,” Mayor Ronnie Marks said. “We have new businesses opening downtown and volunteers who are dedicated to promoting and improving our downtown. There are not many cities that have an asset like we do with our historic downtown area, and I applaud those who work to make it a retail and tourist destination.”
The downtown merchants and vendors who will participate this week are:
● High Cotton Arts – Meet some of the artists in this non-profit art incubator that recently opened and shop for local art.
● Square Clock Coffee – Offering free popcorn; will have Coke and root beer floats.
● Snapdragon Kids – Meet Snappy the Dragon, free face painting and balloons.
● Epiphany Boutique – Check out the unique women’s clothing line.
● The Grasshopper – Children and women’s clothing and gift shop.
● Hyatt and Sims – Home décor
● Prairie Child Design – Mickey Guimarin, fashion consultant, will be on hand to help you customize your look. Free wine while you browse.
● Rogers Portraits – Stop by and enjoy a glass of free lemonade.
● Village Pizza – Enjoy pizza, sandwiches and salads.
● Suzanne’s Bakery and Eatery – Cookies, pies, cupcakes and strawberry pretzel salad.
● Kona Ice – Vendor will offer snow cones and other items.
● Bennett’s Clothing – Drawings for free merchandise, gift card and gift coupons for customers registering their email and birthday month.
● Cotton Warehouse and Antiques – Find unique gift items and home décor.
● Garnet’s – Unique furniture and other home décor items.
● Trinity’s – Gift and home décor, including Vera Bradley items.
● The Willow Cottage Antiques – Antique and interior items.
● Pimentos – Gift shop with new items like wood plaques in the shape of the State of Alabama.
● LuVici’s – Southern food and specialized dinner menu.
● Drucilla’s – Dine in a Victorian-era house.
● Our Little Kitchen Food Truck – Operated by Sylvia Vaughn
● Cotton Belle Boutique – Will have merchandise on Market Street.
● Crawford’s – Gift shop that offers monogramming to add that personal touch.
For more information and to stay up-to-date on future Fridays After Five events, go online at www.fridaysafterfiveathens.com.
