ATHENS, Ala. – Music, Shopping, Dining, Kids Activities come to downtown Athens for an evening of fun for the entire family.

Fridays After Five is the third Friday of each month in June-September, continuing this Friday, August 17 from 5-8 p.m. in downtown Athens, Alabama.

This event sponsored by WOW! Internet, Cable & Phone, was a huge success in June.  Downtown merchants will be open this Friday until 8:00 p.m.  Many will offer special sales and activities.  Vendors will be setup along Marion Street to sell art, handmade items, jewelry, fresh produce and even locally roasted coffee! Local restaurants will be offering dining and drink specials.

There will be fun for the entire family.  One of our biggest hits from June was our Kids Zone.

“My daughter loved the face painting and trying her hand at corn hole.  The Kids Zone was filled with fun things to do for all ages,” said Leah Beth McNutt, patron of Fridays After Five.

In addition to all this, Athens Main Street presents Nashville musical artist, Nikki McLeod performing from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.  Don’t forget to bring a lawn chair.

Marion Street will be blocked off and shaded for Nikki’s performance on the courthouse steps. Nikki sings a variety of contemporary country and pop as well as some of your favorite traditional country music songs.  She is a talented singer and song writer and will also perform a few of her original songs.  She is not to be missed.

Nikki credits her songwriting and passion to God alone. She says, “Faith is what has carried me through the hardest parts of life. God provided me with music to get me past things that seemed insurmountable. And in turn, he provided me with the strength to carry on and keep a positive outlook. He also gave me Dixon, the pup who became my service dog once I was diagnosed with PTSD.”

The downtown merchants, vendors and eateries participating this week are:

• Athens Roasting Company – Locally roasted, small batch coffee
• Athens Soap Company – 3 for $15 soaps, $1 off essential oil rollers
• Bennett’s – Men’s and women’s clothing store
• Boneyard Antiques – Four Legged Fridays: bring your furry friends by for a bone at the Boneyard
• The Broken Brush – Canvas, wood and pottery painting
• Crawford’s Gifts – All collegiate items 15% off, summer clothes 50% off
• DotDotSmile – Children’s swing dresses
• Dream Key Real Estate – Come check out the office
• Epiphany Boutique – Anniversary Weekend 30% off merchandise
• Garnet’s – Shop for home goods
• High Cotton Arts – Visit with artists, shop for locally made art, sign up for classes and enjoy light refreshments; City of Athens Bicentennial shirts will be available for purchase
• Jan’s Custom Crafts – Seat belt cozies for $3.50, flower arrangements for $30.00
• Kona Ice – Cool off with shaved ice
• Kreme Delite – Ice cream shop
• LaWanda’s Fresh Veggies – Local produce
• Little Happies Company – Personalized jewelry for all occasions
• Lucia’s – $4.50 margaritas
• Our Little Kitchen Food Truck – Seafood gumbo, shrimp po’boys, red beans & rice, jalapeno cornbread, chicken quesadillas, jambalaya and fried apple pies
• Paparazzi Jewelry – Come check them out!
• Pimentos – Gifts, jewelry, homegoods
• The Right Dress Boutique – 50% off Everything
• Snapdragon Kids – Kids clothing store
• The Sweetest Things Tea Room – Dinner specials
• Terranova’s – Dinner specials
• Toodlebugs – 30% off sale on select shoes and clothing, 50% off clearance & Plunder Jewelry Party
• Trinity’s – Gifts, clothing & jewelry
• U.G. White Mercantile – Spend $100 get a free pound of candy (full price merchandise only)
• Village Pizza – Pizza, salads and subs
• Wildwood Deli – Food and/or beverage specials
• The Willow Cottage – Antiques & interiors, Frank’s Good Stuff 40% Flash Sale 3-8pm

For more information and to stay up-to-date on future Fridays After Five events, visit https://www.facebook.com/fridaysafterfive/ or https://athensmainstreet.org/.