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Marietta this weekend will welcome thousands of people to the Rivers, Trails and Ales Festival. On Friday, this month's First Friday, downtown businesses will join the festivities, staying open late for First Friday, hosted by Marietta Main Street, and running from 5-9 p.m.
The popular monthly event offers late shopping, live music, pop-up artists, special sales and restaurant promotions.
On the lawn of the Armory on Front Street, exhibits will be available from Artsbridge, Waterview Pointe, Washington County Soil & Water, MOV'n Dragons, Washington County Board of Developmental Disabilities and Rivers, Trails & Ales.
Makerspace at BB2C will show a free movie on the lawn at 8:30 p.m., "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids."
On Putnam Street, Peoples Bank Theatre will continue its free outdoor concert series. OYO will perform in the street, followed by country superstar Dustin Lynch's concert inside the theatre.
Teri Ann's will offer its Summer Blowout. At J&M Books and Play, customers spending $25 can roll the dice for discounts of 10-20% and Two Peas in a Pod Florist will offer 10% off purchases of $10 or more.
American Flags and Poles will have all metal yard art on sale and Dad's Primitive Workbench will celebrate its new fall décor with a free gift for purchases of $75 or more. Clutch Collective will host local artist Samantha Keith of Super Bloom Studios and Wit & Whimzy will host local grower Briar & Bloom with fresh bouquets. Both stores will also have Mystery Grab Bags, clearance items and no sales tax on clothing and school supplies. In addition, any donation of school supplies will earn a ticket to win a gift basket.
Schafer Leather Store will feature 20% off all footwear while Emleigh's and Mama B's will have racks marked "The More You Buy, The More You Save".
In the Back to School Bash at Threadz Boutique, any school employee with a 2026-27 ID can receive 20% off a purchase. River City Spaces will have its new fall décor and every purchase will be entered to win a $25 gift card. Local maker Lexi Wittekind of Good Witt Designs will be on hand with her creations. At Downtown Bargains, customers can shop for squishy favorites and back-to-school goodies.
First City Records will have hundreds of new records at 5 p.m. and offer discounts on apparel. In honor of RTA, the store will serve a healthy and refreshing pickle juice mocktail. Every purchase will be entered into a raffle at Life Balance Healing on Putnam Street. Dead People's Stuff will be open late along with Wilky's Market with free samples.
The Wellness Retreat is inviting the public to its new location, 323 Second St. where it will have snacks, discounts and giveaways to celebrate. At the Town House, Stone Quillen Band will take the stage at 8 p.m. and guests can enjoy Masthead Freelance IPA on draft. Over the Moon Pub & Pizza will be serve specialty Mule Drinks in preparation for Walshapalooza the next day.
"First Fridays act as a catalyst for the entire downtown business area," Mike Walsh, owner of Over the Moon Pizza.
Walsh is looking forward to this weekend.
"The community gets excited and they come out and support all of us running shops downtown," he said. "It’s great for business and a fun time with our customers."
Downtown First Friday events take place the first Friday of every month from 5-9 p.m., February through December. Highlights of these events include late shopping, artists and musicians, area organizations and activities tied into the theme. Each First Friday is a celebration of community and an opportunity for locals, tourists and groups to show their support for the town, have fun and enjoy vibrant and historic downtown Marietta.