Main Street kicks off Fifth Fridays with inaugural event

RUSSELLVILLE — Main Street’s inaugural series of Fifth Fridays events kicked off downtown Friday evening.

Linda Parmer and Calvin Parmer attend the inaugural Fifth Fridays event in downtown Russellville.

“I thought it went very well for our first event,” said Kara Shelnutt, executive director for Russellville Main Street. “The community really showed up. Everybody seemed to have a really good time.”

Anna Tidwell, Alan Tidwell, Noah Tidwell and Nathan Tidwell take in the sights downtown.

The event featured a variety of goods, among them crafts, paintings, crochet and 3D items, and more. Inflatables and food trucks were also on site.

Erin Robinson, Graceann Robinson and Jacob Robinson.

“We had more vendors than we expected,” Shelnutt said. “Things just worked out very, very well. Every one of the vendors said they will be back.”

Shelnutt said the idea for Fifth Fridays grew from a recurring theme in community conversations — nostalgia for the popular street parties held downtown decades ago.

Downtown Russellville’s inaugural Fifth Fridays event kicked off Friday evening.

“Our goal is to bring what people have asked for and to get more foot traffic downtown by giving the community something to come out and do while having a good time together,” she said.

Two more events are planned for this year on Aug. 29 and Oct. 31.