Fairfield First Fridays returns to Central Park

FAIRFIELD — Marla Brader is beyond excited for the return of in-person art walks.

Brader, the executive director of Fairfield First Fridays, said it has been more than a year since the organization hosted an in-person event, the last coming in April 2020.

That will change Friday when art walk returns with a bang, a pair of concerts at two locations in downtown Fairfield complete with kids’ games and vendors.

The event lasts from 6-10 p.m. The band Roman Cadillacs will entertain the audience gathered at Central Park, while the group Chris Heaton and Igor will perform a block away outside the Fairfield Arts & Convention Center. Brader said the idea of having two bands perform at once was to accommodate people who are worried about participating in large gatherings. She said most of the activities will be in Central Park, so people who are comfortable with crowds can enjoy the evening there, while those who prefer a spread-out crowd can take in the music outside the arts center.

Brader said this art walk will be similar to the typical outdoor art walks from prior years, except that the vendors and kids’ games will be spaced out a little more than usual.

“Things will look less congested, and people should feel like they can distance themselves,” she said.

Masks are recommended for the event but not required. Fairfield First Fridays will debut its portable hand-washing stations it purchased through a grant from the Greater Jefferson County Foundation, and it will have hand sanitizer at various locations.

Fairfield First Fridays plans to hold outdoor events on the first Friday of every month now through October, after which the events will move indoors.

“I hope we have a huge turnout and I hope the weather is perfect because I have missed being in Central Park,” Brader said.