May's First Fridays **CANCELLED** Due to Weather

Xenia First Fridays – New Season, New Layout!

Xenia First Fridays will feature more space for fun this year with the start of our 9th season on May 5th from 5-9pm! In addition to the previous year’s closure of North and South Detroit St, Third St and Second St, from Whiteman St to King St., will also be closed. Bouncy houses, farm animal petting zoo, musical acts, and our growing number of community groups and performers are getting geared up for this months event!

This May, we are excited to have the popular  EuroBungee jump at S. Detroit and Main St.! Don’t miss Chase and Marshall, from Paw Patrol, as part of the strolling attractions. In addition, we will be featuring a yo-yo expert, JJ Pethtel, the juggling and aerialist duo from Up Down Go, and the Amazing Giant Stilt walkers. The courthouse stage will come alive with music provided by Bulletproof, and Xenia High School Jazz band will have a special performance at 5 pm on S. Detroit St.

Returning performers this year include the Cruise-In’s popular Batmobile, KraZ face painting, Lucky the Clown, Magician Dave Davis, DJ Rob Bullen, Caricaturist Dennis Porter, the Greene County Historical Society’s downtown walking tour, Greene County Library’s bookmobile, ChristStrength Gym’s Strongmen’s Competition, and inflatables from Xenia Bouncy Castle and Party Rental. For the animal lover, there will be Jungle Island Zoo, Cool Critters Outreach, and a farm animal petting zoo.

This month’s event will feature over 50 one-of-a-kind arts and crafts vendors, delectable eats, and unique entertainment to bring the  Xenia community together in a way only First Fridays can. The popular cruise-in will be returning on N. Detroit as well as the kids carnival games at Montgomery Insurance & Investments! Festival goers are encouraged to enjoy delicious foods at the Second Street Food Court from vendors including; Sugar Shack, Cork ‘n Bottle, Dine n Dash, Rooters, Christian Brothers, Southern Sisters, and Zerkle Concessions. AHOP Burgers will be located at the Cruise-In.

Additional food locations include: One Bistro on E. Main St, Willie’s Sports Bar and Grille, featuring the band One Hot Minute and Acapulco Mexican Food in Xenia Towne Square., Tables of Contents on S. Detroit St., and Sweets Boutique on E. Second St.

Many of the downtown businesses will be holding specials during the event. The Flower Stop, 57 W. Main St., will be offering a flower happy hour special with assorted carnations for $1.While there, don’t forget to support First Fridays and bid on some of the great silent auction items that are available this month. Sweets Boutique Bakery and Café, 28 E. Second St., will feature street foods from around the world, as well as a S’more’s Station! Coffee Hub Xenia, 81 E Main St, will be giving out free samples and selling Coffee Hub T-shirts! Stop into Lemons to Lemonade at 61 E. Main Street for some free lemonade. Sip & Dipity Paint Bar, 65 S. Detroit St., will have a Starving Artist Art Sale featuring pieces made by their artists. They will also have a Glow in the Dark Margarita Glass Paint Party at 9 pm on May 6. Eclectic Attic, 17 E. Main St., will be having a Huge Clearance Sale!

"The First Fridays Committee has been extremely busy in the off-season marketing, fundraising and making great plans for this year! We are super excited to bring new entertainment, activities, food and street vendors to downtown Xenia." says Heidi Hilderbrandt, event co-coordinator. "Even more exciting are the new businesses that downtown has to offer. We invite you to join us downtown to see what our city and First Fridays has planned!"

Those interested in attending, volunteering, performing, vending at, or sponsoring a future event are welcome to visit  www.xeniafirstfridays.com website to learn more about the event. Upcoming Xenia First Friday's events run thru July 2017. Events run from 5:00-9:00 p.m. All donated funds are tax-deductible.

In 2009, a group of awesome downtown merchants started First Fridays in hopes to bring attention to Xenia’s unique and amazing downtown and all of the great things it has to offer. Shops stayed open later and gave us a chance to experience the charm of our forgotten downtown. Now in our 9th season, First Fridays has grown into a celebration of what has remained Xenia's core for almost 215 years. First Fridays invites people to come and experience downtown Xenia in hopes to promote continued growth and bring some enjoyment to our fine city... COME JOIN THE FUN!

We would like to thank this seasons event partners; The Flower Stop, Montgomery Insurance and Investments, Xenia Shoe and Leather, and Dean’s Plumbing.