Xenia is Celebrating July’s First Friday With a Bang! A Spectacular First Friday is Planned for July!
Celebrate Independence Day by enjoying the sights, sounds, and tastes of the July 7th First Friday Festival. The downtown Xenia event is held the First Friday of each month from 5-9pm, May-July and boasts an array of street performers, featured entertainment, quality vendors, delicious food, and promotional sales from area businesses. As a special treat, when the First Friday Festival closes you can finish your evening at nearby Shawnee Park watching the fireworks at The Kevin Sonnycalb Memorial Fireworks Festival!
The entire downtown area will be alive with activities sure to appeal to festival goers of all ages. Grab a blanket or lawn chair to listen to the live music from The Hathaways on the courthouse lawn. North Detroit St. will be blocked off for pedestrians to stroll through a classic car Cruise-In. The band, Full Circle, formerly known as The Relics, will be performing at the Narrow Path Plumbing parking lot on the corner of Second St. and S. Detroit St. Narrow Path Plumbing will add to the downtown fun with free hot dogs, snow cones, cotton candy and freebie items!
Don’t miss Chase and Marshall from Paw Patrol, as part of the strolling attractions. In addition, we will be featuring juggler Evan Smith, Superman, Captain America, and the Amazing Giant Stilt walkers. Egyptian Breeze belly dancers will be performing at 7 and 8 pm at the Food & Entertainment Court as well as strolling the event during the evening.
Onlookers will be treated to a number of strolling and stationary performers at various locations throughout the night. The Amazing Giants return to dazzle the crowds with their colorful costumes and stilt walking skills. Up Down Go aerialists will thrill as they leap, flip, and fly through the air during performances in front of the courthouse. As you wait to have your likeness drawn by caricaturist Dennis Porter, receive a balloon animal from Lucky the Clown, or be picked to assist in a trick at Dave Davis’ Magic Show. ChristStrength Gym Strongman Competition will be held on E. Second St along with face painting by Kra Z Paint Entertainment. A surprise performance will be happening on the courthouse lawn at 8pm don’t forget to be there to see it!
Two new activities this year is an aviary enclosure that participants can be among hundreds of brightly colored parakeets as they flutter about and free pony rides. Both are from Jungle Island Zoo and will be located on S. Detroit St. Other places to see animals up close is the Farm Animal Petting Zoo, located on W. Second St. and Cool Critters Outreach Reptile Program which will be located on S. Detroit St. Both are great places for a hands-on experience with live animals! Visit Xenia Bouncy Castle and Party Rental on S. Detroit St. For some big and bouncy fun!
The Food & Entertainment Court will feature family friendly music from DJ Rob Bullen to entertain those waiting to sample a variety of goodies from, Bette Juanita, Cork n Bottle, Christian Brothers, Dine-n-Dash, Lee’s Famous Chicken, Southern Sisters, Rooters, Zerkle's Food & Concessions and new to the event on W. Second St is Bella Sorrella Pizza. AHOP’s burger burn and Kleinfelder’s Hots & Brats will be available in the cruise-in area.
Additional food locations are: One Bistro on E. Main St., Willie’s Sports Bar and Grille, Acapulco Mexican Food and Donato's Pizza in Xenia Towne Square, Tables of Contents on S. Detroit St. and Sweets Boutique on E. Second St.
First Fridays Bucks can be purchased at the Kid’s Carnival in the Montgomery Insurance & Investments lot and every player wins a prize!
A variety of vendors and local businesses will be providing games and giveaways at their booths for kids and adults alike, creating a fun and unique atmosphere. Many downtown shops will remain open during the event to offer First Fridays specials. The Flower Stop will be celebrating with red, white and blue carnations for $1 each. While there bid on one of the many silent auction items donated by area businesses! All proceeds directly benefit First Fridays.
We also would like to thank our event partners, The Flower Stop, Montgomery Insurance and Investments, Dean’s Plumbing, Xenia Shoe & Lather and Hospice of Dayton.
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 Fridays events are set to be held on each first Friday May through July. Events run from 5-9pm. All donated funds are tax-deductible.
