ATHENS, Ala. – Patrons will have additional time for retail therapy this Friday [April 28, 2023] during Athens Main Street’s first Friday after Five event of the year.

Food trucks, shopping and dining is all on the docket. Several of the downtown merchants will be open for those who want to make the trip to downtown Athens. Patrons can enjoy the Square Arts & Entertainment District and enjoy the outdoors.

Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair and visit the eastside of the Limestone County Courthouse to enjoy the live music from JUICE party band from Huntsville from 5 to 8:30 p.m.

Food trucks scheduled to be in attendance are Ramona J’s, Touchdown Wings, New South Hotdog, Hattie Mae’s, Get Loaded, Sandman Sandmaches, Southern Wagyu, Tacos To Go, Old Havana Café, Taste of Maine, Happi Pappi, Rita’s Italian Ice, Snobiz, and Granny B’s Sweet Treats.

New this year there will be children’s activities. This month, children can meet local public safety officials and first responders on the south side of the Limestone County Courthouse.

That’s SO Art, which specializes in nostalgic watercolor and making things that make you happy, is celebrating one year in business this Friday at 110 West Market Street.

Owner Sara Ogles says events like these are very beneficial to her small business.

“I’m so thankful to Tere and Athens Main Street for bringing these events to downtown Athens,” Ogles said. “The Athens Main Street events bring in more people to my little shop than regular shopping hours, some even traveling in from Decatur or Huntsville just to see what Athens is all about.”

To celebrate one year in business, Ogles plans to debut a new Athens print with blankets, notebooks, and stickers. If you can’t make it out to the event, Ogles says to check out her website: https://thatssoart.com/

Athens Main Street Executive Director Tere Richardson shares why this event is important for downtown Athens.

“This event brings patrons from the entire North Alabama region to support our merchants,” Richardson said. “This staple event will have people dancing in the street enjoying the atmosphere of a historic downtown.”

For the latest information on this event, visit https://athensmainstreet.org/fridays-after-five/