(Photo Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

MARIETTA — With the official arrival of Spring, downtown Marietta is ready for another First Friday, the monthly event hosted by Marietta Main Street.

The event runs from 5-9 p.m. Friday and features late shopping, dining specials, and many promotions throughout downtown.

With Easter right around the corner, this provides an opportunity to find Easter gifts and treats in unique, independently owned shops. People can stop by the Armory lawn to visit Luxe Parties and Picnics and spin the wheel to win a prize. They’ll also have My Pet Walking Balloons available for $5. Artsbridge, Ely Chapman, and others will also be on site in the Kids Zone.

At American Flags and Poles, visitors can shop the sidewalk sale, and Vanessa will be on site with Color Street nails. Dad’s Primitive Workbench will have an end of season Clearance Wall with 60% off, and purchases of $75 or more will earn a free gift. Nearby Sugar Maple Boutique will also have clearance items at 60% off, and regular priced merchandise at 15% off. JustaJar Design Press will be hosting live music and featuring a print sale.

Wit & Whimzy will be hosting Sara of Sara & Sybil, with a large variety of handcrafted items and Easter basket fillers, and customers will find surprise flash sales. Next door, Clutch Collective will have a clearance table with 40-50% off, and visitors can enter for a giveaway. At Green Acres of Marietta, Ronda will be doing angel readings, and the Humane Society of the Ohio Valley will introduce some dogs looking for a forever home. At First City Records, the Gypsy River Band will be performing live, playing classic rock favorites from Fleetwood Mac and more. Marietta Makery will host live painting by watercolor artist Corrissa Flesher and an original art sale.

New spring items will be featured at Threadz Boutique, along with 40% off clearance items. At Emleigh’s and Mama B’s customers will be able to draw a discount at checkout. Owner Emma Conley explained why she is excited about April First Friday.

“Springtime here makes downtown even more beautiful, and we can’t wait to spend the evening with visitors and locals. It was a long winter but I’m proud that we small business owners stayed strong and we continue to ‘find the good.'”

McKenna’s Market will be open until 8 p.m. hosting Friends of Forgotten Felines. They will also have a popcorn machine serving popcorn from 5-8 p.m. On Front Street, Schafer Leather and Mid-Ohio Valley Employment will also stay open late for the evening.

On Second Street, Rockstar Wellness will have protein coffee and powders on sale, while regular classes will be held from 4:30-6:30 p.m. At 5:30 p.m., the ROCKsies tap dance group will perform and the public is invited to watch.

A number of restaurants will have specials for the evening, including Over the Moon Pub and Pizza serving a special “Toast to my Peeps” cocktail for $6. The 3M Acoustic Trio will perform live music beginning at 6:30 p.m. At Jeremiah’s Coffee House, Easter mugs and bagged coffee will be 20% off. The Lafayette Hotel will have a dinner and cocktail special, and guests can enjoy live piano music in the lobby.

Downtown First Friday events take place the first Friday of every month from 5-9 p.m., February through December. Highlights of these events include late shopping, artists and musicians, area organizations and various activities. Each First Friday is a celebration of the local community and an opportunity for locals, tourists and area groups to show their support for the town, have fun and enjoy the beauty of vibrant, historic downtown Marietta.

To learn more about Marietta Main Street, upcoming events, and programs, visit the Marietta Main Street website at: www.mariettamainstreet.org.

Marietta Main Street is a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to downtown revitalization using community and economic development and historic preservation strategies. Featured events and programs include First Fridays, Build Up Marietta building and business improvement grant program, downtown beautification, public art, Main Street West, small business support, Hometown Holidays, and more.

Learn more at www.mariettamainstreet.org.