by Jessica Pope • photos by Pat Gallagher — Whether you’re looking for something to do on a Thursday or a Friday night, there is always a little something going on in the South Georgia area.
There’s First Fridays or Art After Dark in Historic Downtown Valdosta. There’s also Third Thursdays in Downtown Quitman and Downtown Hahira.
No matter which one you choose to visit, there’s always something going on downtown.
First Fridays and Art After Dark
in Valdosta
What is First Fridays?
Downtown Valdosta has become a vibrant and lively spot every day of the month, but on the first Friday evening of each month, downtown comes alive with music, food, shopping, art and more. Since the first First Friday event in June 2005, First Fridays have grown to attract hundreds to thousands of people. Many activities start about 6 p.m., with most of the music starting at about 7-8 p.m. First Fridays reflect the diversity of Downtown Valdosta, as well as the diversity of the entire city.
What is Art After Dark?
It is similar to Downtown Valdosta’s successful and long-running First Fridays, except that Art After Dark is held every third Friday, places the emphasis on the visual arts rather than music, and is more family-oriented.
Artists set up in downtown businesses and along downtown streets. VSU Music often provides music from its many talented student and faculty performers. Local schools share artwork from their students.
Third Thursdays in Quitman
Q: When did Quitman start doing a Third Thursday event?
A: We began celebrating Third Thursday in June of 2008.
Q: What can visitors expect from a typical Third Thursday in Quitman?
A: Visitors to Quitman on Third Thursdays can experience a friendly thriving downtown community full of boutique gift shops, antique stores and an eclectic mix of restaurants. On these nights visitors have the opportunity to mingle with local business owners and community members during extended business hours and to have dinner at one of the many restaurants that offer nightly specials.
Q: Share a few highlights of past Third Thursday events.
A: I believe Third Thursday helps to promote a strong sense of pride for our community and its members. Not only has Third Thursday helped to boost local sales, but it improves the overall morale of the community. It also continues to give us the opportunity to welcome out-of-town guests into our community and show them that for a smaller town there truly is a lot going on!
Q: Tell us what makes Downtown Quitman special.
A: Downtown Quitman is a vibrant community that is in the midst of an exciting revitalization. Many of the beautiful historic buildings that lay sleeping for years are becoming home to small businesses and restaurants. This, paired with storefronts that have been staples of the community for many years, is breathing a new life into our community. There is a wonderful diversity in our community promoting new ideas and forward thinking that is in keeping with our local traditions, thus enabling our citizens to form friendships that will last a lifetime. One local woman refers to Quitman as “the closest place to heaven,” and as a newer resident of the community, I would have to agree!
To learn more, contact Jonathan Dixon, owner of the Urban Cottage on Screven Street, at (229) 263-8995 or urbancottage@aol.com.
Third Thursdays in Hahira
Q: When did Hahira start doing a Third Thursday event?
A: The first Third Thursday was held in August of 2007. There was a group of business owners who wanted to put together an ice cream social and invite people to Downtown Hahira who had perhaps not been before. After that, they organized two other Third Thursdays, each with different themes. Those same business owners are still active in the planning of events today, and now I meet regularly with any Hahira business owners who can come to the meetings or want to participate. In April of last year, Third Thursday was established more regularly and now takes place every other month in Downtown Hahira.
Q: What can visitors expect from a typical Third Thursday in Hahira?
A: Third Thursdays usually have a theme (for example, “Spring Into Hahira” in April, “End of Summer Ice Cream Social” in August, “Hahira Harvest” in October, etc). So each time the event is a little different, but the common thread is that it’s family friendly and there’s something for everyone of any age. There is after-hours shopping, dining, displays, and kids activities at every Third Thursday event. Sometimes the business owners host or compete in competitions, too. In August, everyone is invited to compete in the Homemade Ice Cream Contest, while in October there’s a Pumpkin Pie Contest. Also, we have found that people love free stuff, so we usually put together chances for attendees to win prizes, whether it is our gift basket raffles, giving away prizes on radio stations the week before the event, or special drawings at the event itself. Many of the business owners offer discounts during Third Thursdays and the chance to enter drawings within their stores as well. Hahira business owners are quite generous, and because of it, we’ve given away thousands of dollars worth of prizes in the last year alone!
Q: Share a few highlights of past Third Thursday events.
A: I would have to say that I have a special memory of each one we’ve had. In June of last year (my first Third Thursday to coordinate), so many of the business owners offered military discounts that night in honor of Moody AFB members and their families. As a military spouse, I was blown away at how they wanted to honor the sacrifices of our armed forces. In August, Hurricane Ike caused us to almost not have Third Thursday, but we moved it inside and had such a great night of camaraderie with music and homemade ice cream to boot! October’s Third Thursday brought an incredible amount of people out because the schedule was packed and the business owners opened up their doors to give away food and host entertainment. My favorite Third Thursday yet, though, was December’s because I love that time of year. We invited people to come celebrate Christmas with us, and the outpouring of support from the businesses and other people who wanted to participate in the event was phenomenal. There were so many people at the Caboose that night, they were spilling into the street, and I think every one of them was smiling!
Q: Tell us what makes Downtown Hahira special.
A: Well, we couldn’t fit it all into just this one article, but to try and be brief, I would say that Downtown Hahira is special because of its people. Hahira is about a 10-minute drive from Valdosta and the Downtown is less than a mile from I-75. But what you will find here is unlike any place else! You will encounter people on the sidewalks who are warm and friendly; you will overhear the business owners asking their customers how their families are doing; you will explore a ton of shops that are full of little treasures that you would never expect from a town the size of Hahira; and you’ll see people walking here and there that have made a tremendous impact not only in Hahira but all over south Georgia and beyond. You will know that the people who live and work here care about and support one another and because of it they invest in their community with pride, whether it be the local doctor who’s lived here for decades or the service member who just moved in with his family.
To learn more, contact Emily Grace Newkirk, City of Hahira downtown development coordinator, at (229) 794-2567 or bht@hahira.ga.us.
