It’s fall y’all

First Friday events continue with a Fall Frenzy festival 

Being college students and calling different cities and counties “home,” it’s easy for one to forget that Milledgeville is a home with a rich history.

Milledgeville Main Street is an organization that promotes and encourages the revitalization and preservation of the business district downtown. The main goal of this group is to see downtown Milledgeville become a center of business, education and community while keeping its rich historical background intact.

Last February, the organization began hosting First Friday events – street festivals that take place on the first Friday of each month.

“We have arts and entertainment throughout downtown, and the merchants stay open late for shopping too,” Carlee Schulte, Director of Milledgeville Main Street, said. She believes that these events are a great way to connect Milledgeville residents to their home’s history.

Georgia College freshman Caitlin O’Toole feels that local cultural events are important, but overlooked by college students.

“Maybe adults pay attention to them, but not students whose minds are busy procrastinating their schoolwork,” O’Toole said about events like First Fridays.

This month’s First Friday event is the Downtown Fall Frenzy on Oct. 5 from 6-9 p.m, and will host activities and events for all ages. Kids can expand their knowledge of different vehicles while getting a sugar rush at Trunks and Treats. In season for Halloween, kids over 18 months can satisfy satisfy their sweet tooth at the Candy Grab. Kids can grab as much candy as they can hold from 7 p.m. at the festival due to donations by Kroger and Piggly Wiggly.

Local radio station Z97 will be providing the event with music and a variety of live musicians will be performing as well.

On North Wayne Street by Metropolis, TP and Sandra Holloman will be performing bluegrass music, while Carlos Toombs and the Reception Band will be playing old-school hits outside of Capital City. Percussionist Ernest Rogers will be performing at the corner of Amici with an added treat – a special light show.

Other activities in store include painting pumpkins and sidewalk chalking at Wayne and Hancock Streets, sponsored by the Oconee Regional Medical Center.

The Downtown Fall Frenzy also offers a chance to give back. The Compassionate Crafts booth will be selling home decor and personalized items made by Kim Hornsby and Dianna Perdue. Proceeds benefit Soles4Souls, which helps clothe Haitians in need.

Victoria Quante, a senior English major at GC, believes that purchasing these items is not the only way to give back through this event.

“It’s important to participate in the community,” Quante said. “While we’re in Milledgeville, it’s our home. All the people around, students and residents, are our neighbors. When you invest in those around you, you’re really investing in yourself. You’re helping make this town a better home for everyone.”

GC’s Front Campus will play host to the Rotary Chalk Art Competition. It begins at 4 p.m. and the GC Jazz Band will perform. Onlookers will vote for their favorite chalk art for 25 cents a vote, and the winner will be announced at about 7 p.m. Proceeds benefit the Rotary Club, and anyone interested in competing should fill out an application by contacting Carlee Schulte at (478) 414-4014.

Posted by Jessica McQuain on Oct 4 2012. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.