First Friday RECAP: A Night of Art, Community & Local Flavor in Downtown Grants Pass
Wow—what a night! April’s First Friday was a huge success, and we couldn’t be more grateful to the businesses, artists, and community members who came together to make downtown come alive.
From live music and pop-up artists to vibrant shopfronts and sidewalk chats, the energy throughout the district was electric. Local businesses opened their doors to guest vendors, artists shared their work with new audiences, and the community showed up to support, explore, and connect.
Highlights from the Night
11+ downtown businesses hosted pop-ups, artists, and special promotions.
Guest artists and vendors filled spaces with creativity—from live painting and handmade goods to vintage swaps and mini markets.
Social buzz was strong, with dozens of photos and tags helping spread the word and draw crowds throughout the evening.
Foot traffic was up across the district, with several merchants reporting record visits and new customer connections.
What We Heard:
“This is the kind of energy we need downtown—it felt like a real community again.”
— Local shopper
“We loved hosting a local jewelry artist! Her following brought new faces into our shop.”
— Downtown business owner
“I didn’t know what to expect, but we sold out of everything and made some great connections!”
— Guest vendor
Keep the Momentum Going!
If you participated, share your photos and stories! Tag @MainStreetGrantsPass, @VisitGrantsPass, and the @GrantsPassChamber, and use hashtags like #FirstFridayGP or #DowntownGrantsPass to keep the visibility going.
The more we all share, the more we grow—together.
What’s Next?
We're already looking ahead to May’s First Friday, and we’d love to have you join! Whether you're a returning host, a new business, or a creative looking for a spot, there's a place for you.
📅 Next Downtown Merchant Meeting:
Wednesday, April 9 at 5:30 PM
📍 Welcome Center, downtown Grants Pass
Thanks again to everyone who showed up and made this night so special. Let’s keep building something great—see you next month!
Special Thanks
A huge thank you to John Glarum, whose coordination, outreach, and enthusiasm helped bring this event together and get the word out. From building the merchant list to rallying our community partners, John’s leadership was instrumental in making April’s First Friday a success.