It’s a cool, fall Friday night, and you feel like it’s time to do something fun and relaxing.
You could stay home and watch a movie, take a walk around town or even take part in the usual Friday ritual of partying.
If you’re in the mood for something different, try going to First Friday or a “meandering art festival,” a downtown attraction featuring great local music, mouthwatering food and drinks, fun with friends, and massive quantities of art.
“I like seeing the old historic buildings and enjoy the photography of the region because the scenery looks different when you see it framed,” said Hao Pham, a third-year medical Student at James H. Quillen College of Medicine.
First Friday isn’t just a once-a-year special event; it is held every first Friday of each month, so there is plenty to look forward to.
The event takes part from 6-10:30 p.m. in the evening, but the crowd does not get there until after dark, about 8 p.m. Nelson Fine Arts gallery and Tipton Street gallery have refreshments including tasty snacks and wine throughout the night, making it fun to look and ponder about the art.
First Friday is also a great time to get out and enjoy the restaurants in the area. Since the streets in downtown are closed to traffic from May to October, it makes it a safe and fun environment.
“I like the atmosphere combined with all the music and art,” said Alex Honeycutt, a freshman, majoring in a BFA concentration in ceramics.
“I love First Friday, and I come out every chance I get,” said David Morisette, a junior in nursing.
Another student exclaimed, “Hey, it’s First Friday, I should get some friends together,” said Shannon Kirby, a freshman in pre-education.
Restaurants such as Russo’s, Freiberg’s, Taste Budz and others in downtown are great places to enjoy food as well as talk about the night with your friends.
Local arts and crafts shops such as Althaea’s Soaps & Herbals, Cross Stitch & Craft, Razzle-me-Dazzle’s, Artopia, Beadworks and others open their doors to people roaming the streets looking for a gift to buy or crafts to make.
While all this artistic pandemonium is going on, there are musicians playing in the street and on every corner to help make the night one of a kind.
“This is the eighth year we have had First Friday in Johnson City,” said Becky Mallory, owner of Artopia (inside Nelson Fine Arts), working alongside Dick Nelson, founder of Nelson Fine Arts. “We wanted to have a way to showcase artwork in downtown Johnson City, inviting other businesses to take part in First Friday also. It’s a great thing for local artists and the downtown area”.
“We decided to move into the gallery (Nelson Fine Arts) in 2001,” said Nelson. “We had been having weekly shows but decided to do a special photography show called ‘Art of Nature’. People really wanted a regular art event after that show.”
For more information on the First Friday event, visit http://www.firstfridayjc.com or call 926-2931.
You can also look for flyers on bulletin boards across campus for upcoming First Friday shows.

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