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| - Just went to First Friday for my first time this past Friday. I'd never been before, because I don't think going to the revelry that happens after 10 PM on Fremont East really counts. I have done that - but this was my first time in the arts district part of the party.
Somehow I found a parking space, not sure how I pulled it off, but I parked in a dirt lot where a bunch of other cars were chilling. I did get there kind of late (about 9 PM) so I'm guessing some people had already left and in turn left empty spots.
Hit up Downtown Vintage Guitars first to listen to a guy doing some beat boxing - interesting. Then headed down to the Gypsy Den and took a look the booths set up with people selling their art and other things. Don't get me wrong, I have an appreciation for art, but I don't like it enough to really get into it. Plus I'm definitely not going to buy anything, but that's just me.
My friend and I heard some sounds of a band wafting toward us so we grabbed a couple drinks and then listened to the band that was set up on the street. We only caught the last couple songs which was kind of disappointing, but ah well. At this point my friend and I just took a seat on the sidewalk curb and people watched.
Overall I did like the live music. I'd like to go back and concentrate on just seeing the live music. However, the art really doesn't matter that much to me so it was pretty much overlooked. As for the crowd and the feel of the whole event, I was struck dumb by how many underage kids were there. I think some of them had to be in middle school. That was kind of weird for me.
I can't help but compare this to Sparks Farmers Market which happens in Reno, Nevada where I went to college. Except the Farmers Market was much more contained and on a really, really nice street that was always set up nicely and was easy to navigate. Plus the Farmers Market was on a street with a lot of awesome pubs and places to eat.
I think Vegas could really fine tune First Friday into a sweet event. Just gotta keep it up and keep improving it.
And as a final note - I was really surprised by the amount of Metro presence. I mean I understand the need for security, but so many Metro officers? Too much police makes people feel uncomfortable. I would be the last person to say anything bad about a police officer, but there's a fine line you must walk when running an event. Couple police officers - okee dokee. Multiple police officers who look like they are there and on the verge of peppering the crowd with rubber bullets? Not good.
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