“First Fridays”
Bringing the community together in historic downtown Ellijay.
The First Fridays series will begin May 4th and go until Dec. 7th. They will take place on each 1st Friday of the month from May – Dec. The times are 5:00pm – 8:00pm.

We are excited to announce a committed long term partnership between the Gilmer Arts & Heritage Association, Better Hometown & the Gilmer County Chamber of Commerce to host “First Fridays” in
historic downtown Ellijay.

First Fridays will be a family friendly event held in downtown Ellijay that will host our incredibly talented local artists, crafters, musicians, children’s activities including face painting, balloons etc., and an assortment of mouthwatering food vendors that will not compete with downtown restaurants. This is an effort to bring both locals and tourists to the downtown area to foster a more vibrant, prosperous downtown Ellijay while nurturing our sense of community. The First Fridays series will begin May 4th and go until Dec. 7th. They will take place on each 1st Friday of the month from May – Dec. The times are 5:00pm – 8:00pm. The event will take place in a “street party” environment to be held on N. Main St. from the round-a-bout to The Cartecay Bike Shop. The street will close on the 1st Friday of each month May-Dec. from 4-9pm.

The following downtown merchants will be committed to this venture & will stay open late for guests to enjoy shopping & dining: Cartecay Bike Shop, Main Street Antiques, Misty Hollow Antiques, Cartecay River Trading Company, Jumping Mouse Beads, The Quilt Shop, Rusted Buffalo, Whistle Tree Pottery, Lavish, Antique Show, GAHA, North Star Emporium, The Laurel on River Street, Southern Grace, TJ & Co., Christmas House & Interiors, Cornerstone, The Ellijay Deli, Mr. P’s Take-Out & Jilly’s. New businesses that are opening some time during the event period will also participate: The restaurant on River St. & The Martyn House Inn Towne. These committed merchants are very important to the success of this event & we appreciate their participation very much!! We also appreciate the support of the City of Ellijay in this endeavor! This is certainly a team effort.

We are still looking for business sponsors & vendors to participate in this series. If interested contact Karleen Ferguson [email protected] 706-635-7400.

“I am very excited about the combined efforts of “First Fridays”! This has been a team effort to create a fun atmosphere for local citizens & tourists to gather & to encourage shopping with our downtown merchants. We have so many great things happening in our community right now with the “BoomTown” designation by the state of Georgia, the “Downtown Development Authority” in place, new businesses popping up downtown, the Farmers Market coming back to the square Saturday mornings, the Tabor House reopening etc. This is all coming together due to years of commitment & hard work of so many people behind the scenes! It is a great time to live in the Ellijays! I encourage everyone to get involved & participate in these events. Together, we can do great things!”

quoted by Karleen Ferguson, Tourism & Special Events Coordinator for The Gilmer County chamber of commerce.