FLORENCE– Celebrating our nation’s independence has been the theme of the July First Fridays for a number of years, and this year is no different. Organizers have put their own spin on the festivities that will take place July 1, from 5-8 p.m. in downtown Florence.
Belinda Duke, the First Fridays co-chairwoman said there will be a patriotic pet parade that will also include a best pet costume contest. The event will be limited to dogs and cats, and participants can enter by making a donation to the Florence Animal Shelter.
“It’s a fun way to celebrate July 4 as well as our pets, which, for many of us, are family members,” Duke said. “We expect to see lots of fun costumes on our furry friends.”
In addition to the patriotic pet parade, the July First Fridays will host the Goldwing Motorcycle Club and other classic car clubs as well as the Take the Stage Twirlers.
Music will kick off on the Big River Broadcasting Stage at 5 p.m. with the Hartland Marimba Band. They will be followed at 6 p.m. by the Aaron Blades
Band. The sets round out at 7 p.m. with Tyler Kinchen and the Right Pieces Band.
Dozens of vendors have signed up to participate in the July event. They’ll have a variety of hand-crafted wares for sale that will include jewelry, pottery, woodworking pieces, clothing, and art.
Preparations are underway for the August event that will include a night of family fun and games in honor of the summer Olympics slated to begin later that month.
First Fridays, which is sponsored by Listerhill Credit Union, is a committee of Downtown Florence Unlimited and takes place the first Friday of every month during March through December. First Fridays is a rain-or-shine event.
