Canton First Friday ready to rock this summer with new look, new games, updated website
Josh Brewer has owned the Auricle for more than 10 years, relocating in 2018 to a spot in the heart of downtown Canton.
All the while he's seen First Friday help draw people downtown to activities, events, businesses and to his own rock music shows and dance parties.
Brewer, however, agreed it's time to rebrand the event, tweak it and bolster efforts to get the word out and attract more visitors.
"I'm all for it," he said. "I think it needs it — any good business model, technically, it's stated you should rebrand and change things up every three to five years anyways, because people will tend to lose interest ... if it's the same thing over and over again."
Brewer said he's pleased that First Friday is being retooled under the direction of Lynn and Dave Shimko, who own and operate Events by 720, which includes the 720 Market in downtown North Canton and 720 SidestreetMKTS at Oakwood Square in Plain Township in addition to special events, including a barbecue-themed event on Aug. 13 in North Canton.
Lynn Shimko said it's an honor to be assisting with First Friday and supporting the local arts community.
"It's like sometimes when you're too close to something, you need to look at something with fresh eyes, and we think we have fresh eyes with this event," she said.
Art, music, family-friendly activities, entertainment and special themes are still the idea. However, visitors to this Friday's celebration will notice colorful new banners designating businesses and shops as First Friday supporters and participants.
New First Friday maps also are available at the DoubleTree by Hilton and downtown tourists spots. New street barricades are more visually pleasing while directing people to First Friday festivities.
"There's stuff going on, and instead of it being hard to find, we want to help people," Lynn Shimko said of First Friday events.
New family-friendly activities have been added, including oversized games on Fourth Street NW. First Friday is now starting one hour earlier at 5 p.m. with families in mind. Parklets have been added — a standing area outdoors where people can drink, eat and socialize.
New attractions also include "Kid Disco" by Comet Wanderer Studios, featuring lights and music on Court Avenue NW between Fifth and Sixth streets.
More: Five questions with ... Lynn Shimko, co-creator of 720 Market
More: Getting to know Canton's Centennial Plaza: Five interesting features
More: Ready to rock: Auricle in Canton has full lineup of shows, including O-Town, Horton Heat
Lots of live music featured at June First Friday in downtown Canton
Themes are being emphasized even more, including live music for this week's First Friday activities. "ROCK'N" First Friday hours are 5 to 9 p.m., although restaurants and some businesses are open before and after those times.
"Live music is huge," Lynn Shimko said. "None of that has changed, but it's all about communication and (getting the word out) and letting people know, 'Here's where to go for live music.'"
This Friday's entertainment includes country music artist Chris Higbee at 6:30 p.m. at Centennial Plaza along Market Avenue N and Court Avenue NW.
Live music starts at 4:30 p.m. with saxophonist Tyrel Kimbrough, followed at 5:30 p.m. with Moon Cactus and at 7 p.m. with The Modernes, all on the Kempthorn Stage at Fourth Street and McKinley Avenue NW.
Moon Cactus is a trumpeter and multi-instrumentalist from Ohio. The Modernes are an Akron band that plays indie/surf rock.
Outdoor vendors and food trucks also will be featured. Buzzbin Art & Music Shop, 331 Cleveland Ave. NW, will have live music on both indoor and outdoor stages with a $5 cover charge for six bands, including Abandoned Vehicles, Kids Born Wrong, Service and Papers. Live music also will be at Starz (Level Up band at 9 p.m.), Rae's on Court, Grapes in a Glass (Mark Loy from 7 to 11 p.m.) and George's Lounge (Electramode and Bluestones at 6 p.m.). The Auricle, 201 Cleveland Ave. NW, is hosting a First Friday dance party.
Showcasing the arts in downtown Canton
Art galleries and shops, as well as the Canton Museum of Art, continue to be an integral part of First Friday, Lynn Shimko said. Families and children can make take-home crafts throughout the Arts District portion of downtown during this week's First Friday, she said.
StephenWeaves textile art and handwoven goods will be open during First Friday on the second floor at 318 Cleveland Ave. NW. Demonstrations will be given and artwork will be for sale.
Boomdyda, 332 Fourth St. NW, will have "Fairy Garden" boxes for $15 "with oodles of figures and succulents to choose from," the shop said on Facebook.
"I think it's just showcasing the arts and the downtown businesses and giving people something to do on a Friday night," Shimko said of the emphasis of First Friday. "When we say family friendly, that's not all that the programming is; it's just bringing that element back, so people feel welcoming coming downtown."
This Friday's downtown art offerings include "The Dreamers" one-night show featuring the works of more than 15 Ohio artists curated by Kat Francis at Silo Arts Studio; the "Unwavering" exhibit by featured artist Kaila Bigler at Patina Arts Centre; a gallery show featuring the art of Marcie Kinast from 6 to 9 p.m. at Strauss Studios; "Visage: Semblances and Forms" by Scott Alan Evans at The Hub Art Factory; and a painting demo by artist BZTAT at BZTAT Studios.
The Canton Museum of Art has extended hours from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday with free admission to all visitors. Four new exhibitions are showcased, including, "Witness to Wartime: The Painted Diary of Takuichi Fujii."
'Rethinking our outdoor spaces and discovering new uses'
Lynn Shimko said David Whitehill, president and CEO of ArtsinStark, had become aware of their work with the 720 Market events. ArtsinStark contracts with the couple to help oversee and coordinate First Friday.
First Friday sponsors are ArtsinStark, Visit Canton and the Downtown Canton Special Improvement District.
"With Canton’s Centennial Plaza and other developments in the downtown area, there's a lot of energy driving the need to elevate First Friday by rethinking our outdoor spaces and discovering new uses," Whitehill said in an email.
"We aim to create spaces that work for a range of activities," he said. "Spaces where people can mix and mingle, by strategically placing outdoor furniture groupings, lighting fixtures, and greenery."
The Shimkos began helping out with First Friday in late 2021.
"But our biggest push was for the summer season," Lynn Shimko said.
Whitehill said First Friday has evolved since it began more than 15 years ago as "an art walk with just a handful of participants."
Years later, he said, the free, all-ages event draws thousands of attendees spread over several blocks. Whitehill said First Friday continues to be downtown's signature event.
Enhancing the entertainment and family activities at First Friday "will bring fresh, urban energy to downtown," he added.
Canton First Friday has new website and Facebook page
Social media and online efforts are also being upgraded. A new First Friday website was recently launched at https://cantonfirstfriday.com. First Friday also has a new Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/firstfridaycanton/.
Although First Friday has existed for more than a decade, Lynn Shimko believes some Stark County residents, as well as those in surrounding areas, are unaware of it, or they may have a negative perception of downtown Canton that is long outdated and untrue.
"I think it's just more about getting families back downtown," she said.
Brewer, of the Auricle, hopes the efforts work.
"We want to see more people downtown and keeping them interested in wanting to come to First Friday," he said.
Reach Ed at 330-580-8315 and ebalint@gannett.com
On Twitter @ebalintREP
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Canton First Friday starts summer with new look, live music, games
