First Friday draws crowd to Rocky Ridge

With vendors, acrobats, music, drinks and more, the inaugural First Friday entertained a large crowd in Rocky Ridge on June 3.

First Fridays are planned to be an ongoing monthly event to take advantage of Rocky Ridge's designation as an entertainment district. Within the district's borders, patrons can take alcoholic beverages outside of the restaurants where they were purchased, as long as they use specially marked cups. The district rules are in effect from noon to 9 p.m. Sunday to Thursday, and noon to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

A group of Rocky Ridge business owners have been planning First Fridays for several months, since the district was approved in October 2015. Many of them stayed open late on June 3 in order to attract more shoppers, and some set up tents or tables in front of their shops with special deals.

Craft vendors sold their products under tents in the Western Supermarket parking lot, alongside a pet adoption vehicle from the Greater Birmingham Humane Society. Artists Inc. hosted art vendors and invited shoppers to browse the art on display inside the gallery. The parking lot for Moe's BBQ and The Ridge was the site of children's activities, dining and acrobats. Musicians, from a full band to a woman with a ukulele, were scattered throughout the shopping areas.

For information about the upcoming First Friday events, follow the Rocky Ridge Arts and Entertainment Association on Facebook.