Main Street, Waynesville. Photo courtesy of Visit Haywood; Wayne the Bear. Sabine Allen, artist
Downtown Waynesville invites the public to its reimagined monthly stroll—Waynesville First Friday: Shop, Sip & Stroll—beginning on May 1 and happening 5–8 p.m. each first Friday of the month through December. The rebranded and revised initiative is inclusive of all businesses, features the addition of a social district and boasts new marketing strategies including a charming mascot—Wayne the Bear.
“A key goal of the rebranding was to honor Art After Dark and its long-standing success, so regular attendees will still recognize the familiar monthly stroll,” says Jerry Jackson who owns Salmagundi Gallery and spearheaded the event’s new direction along with Tiffani Watts, manager of Twigs & Leaves Gallery. “At the same time, visitors will notice several updates, including a new logo and signage, increased merchant participation, tour maps and expanded opportunities for local craft vendors and musicians.”
Merchants were invited to collaborate on the initiative, submitting their views and voting as plans were being made, and an open call was put out for logo designs. Sabine Allen designed Wayne the Bear, who will serve as a symbol for the event, appearing throughout downtown and on future merchandise.
Participating businesses are no longer limited to just those located along Main Street, and opportunities are being made available for local makers to join the festivities and marketing opportunities. “Waynesville First Friday will maintain an ongoing call for makers and musicians to register for opportunities to sell work, demonstrate or perform music within local businesses or at designated outdoor locations,” Jackson says.
“For Twigs & Leaves Gallery, it’s a natural extension of what we already love to do: connect people with artists in a meaningful, approachable way,” says Watts. “These evenings give our visitors the chance to meet artists, see work being created live and feel more personally connected to what they’re taking home. That kind of experience sticks with people.”
Besides the draw of individual businesses and the sense of shared community, visitors will experience lively outside spaces as well. The new social district allows visitors to enjoy alcoholic beverages purchased from local businesses while walking within designated areas, and live music on the streets will continue to be a pleasurable feature of the evenings.
For more information, visit the Waynesville First Friday Facebook page.
