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This Friday, July 11, downtown Marietta will be bustling with art, artists, music and more during the monthly First Friday hosted by Marietta Main Street.

The July event was postponed one week because of Independence Day falling on the first Friday, but the planned activities will be worth the wait. The event, a Main Street staple since 2017, runs from 5-9 p.m., and the community is invited to spend the evening enjoying all that downtown Marietta has to offer.

The July First Friday is traditionally a fundraiser for the Main Street Public Art Committee, and the tradition continues with the popular live t-shirt printing event. Members of the committee have designed and carved print blocks, and people can choose an image to be hand printed on a t-shirt while they wait.

“This is one of my favorite events of the year. I get to wheel one of my printing presses across the street, a group of amazing artists from the community donate their time in creating these linocuts, and many of them help out during the printing event,” said Bobby Rosenstock, owner of Just A Jar Design + Press. “It’s just a super fun, unique event that brings people together to celebrate art in the community.”

In addition, there will be a large number of art canvases on display for sale. Area artists were invited to take home 6″ x 6″ canvases and create their own art, choosing their preferred medium and style. All the canvases will be displayed and ready for sale during the evening, and all proceeds will benefit the Public Art Committee.

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Another special feature of the evening is chalk art on the Armory sidewalk, created by local artists Cam Benson, Alaina Pellett, Kelley Powell, and Jada Townsend.

The community is invited to watch the artists at work as they transform the sidewalks into pieces of art. And thanks to Artsbridge, Ely Chapman and others, Kid Central will be on hand at the Armory with fun activities for kids to enjoy. SIPS coffee truck will also be on hand.

Most businesses will be open late, including Just a Jar Design Press and Schafer Leather Store. At Dad’s Primitive Workbench, every purchase over $10 will be entered to win a $25 gift certificate. The store will also have a $5, $10 and $15 clearance rack. Nearby Sugar Maple Boutique will offer 15% off their regular merchandise. At First City Records, Indie rock group Place Invaders will perform from 7-9 p.m., and the store will unveil its newest collection of vinyl.

Wit & Whimzy is hosting regional author Kathy Elasky, with her series of children’s books about Pudgy Possum. Next door, Clutch Collective will have West Virginia artist and illustrator Logan Schmitt with his screen printed art that celebrates the wildlife and nature of Appalachia. The Humane Society of the Ohio Valley will be represented at two Front Street businesses – woodworking artist Esther Salem will showcase her products at Teri Ann’s, to raise funds for the shelter. And at Green Acres of Marietta, people can meet some of the dogs that need to find their forever home. Green Acres will also have a psychic medium on site.

One of Marietta’s newest retail shops is River City Spaces, where customers will be entered into a raffle to win a $50 gift card. Owner Darla Hausman describes her shop as offering unique and curated home decor and design items.

“There is always something inside you cannot live without! Our group at River City Spaces is looking forward to our second First Friday and hope that folks come down and support us all!”

At Threadz Boutique, Stephanie’s Sparkles will be on hand with her jewelry, along with Marietta Henna by Courtney. On Second Street, Rockstar Wellness will have a sale on protein coffee and protein powders, and the Rocksies tap group will perform for the public.

Restaurants will be participating in the event, and Jeremiah’s Coffee House is having an all-day special of one-pound bags of coffee for $10. The Levee House Bistro will be open for dinner, and the Lafayette Hotel will feature a dinner and cocktail special. At the Town House, live music will begin at 7 p.m. and diners will find an outside bar on the patio. Over The Moon Pub and Pizza will have karaoke beginning at 8 p.m. The Original Pizza Place is hosting Just Paws pet treat company, and customers can get a 10% discount when they purchase their items.

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 various activities tied into the theme. Each First Friday is a celebration of the local community and an opportunity for locals, tourists and area groups to show their support for the town, have fun and enjoy the beauty of historic downtown Marietta.

To learn more about Marietta Main Street, upcoming events, and programs, visit the Marietta Main Street website at: www.mariettamainstreet.org.

Marietta Main Street is a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to downtown revitalization using community and economic development and historic preservation strategies. Featured events and programs include First Fridays, Build Up Marietta building and business improvement grant program, downtown beautification, public art, Main Street West, small business support, Hometown Holidays, and more.