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Fourth Fridays
Follow-Up
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Anniston natives have been looking for a
regular, downtown get-together for a long
time.
Replicating even a fraction of the goodwill
and economic boons of the annual Noble
Street Festival on a regular basis, giving locals and folks traveling through a chance
to stop and appreciate local shops and eateries they might not otherwise try — it’s a
lofty goal, but one that Spirit of Anniston’s
new Fourth Fridays seems to be accomplishing.
According to Charity Duncan, Spirit’s interim director, an estimated 1,000-1,500
people attended the first three-hour event
on April 25, driving foot traffic way up for
the night — and also providing them with
some unusual new experiences.
“You don’t see belly dancers on the street
every day,” laughed Duncan, talking about
a visit from Anniston-area belly dancer Zafirah. “She did a demonstration and got the
kids out there, very family friendly; everybody loved her.”
The evening also featured a performance
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by Birmingham band The Glass Jars, their
first outdoor performance of the season.
Duncan hopes to expand the selection of
street performers through the next several
months.
“Anything that will help bring people downtown for a fun, good time and show off what
our businesses and merchants have down
here, we’re all behind that,” said Christina
O’Dell, manager of the Rabbit Hutch gift
shop, a few hours before the second Fourth
Friday on May 23.
The store sells a wide range of products,
from items for babies through gourmet
foods and Alabama and Auburn gifts, which
means there’s something for everybody,
but also that advertising isn’t so direct as
a speciality shop. Word of mouth and high
visitor volume that an events like Fourth
Friday can provide are key for a shop like
the Hutch.
“We had a merchant meeting with the other
businesses the next week and heard nothing but positive things,” said O’Dell. “We’re
bringing in an extra person tonight, to have
a little extra help just in case.” ✽
This month’s Fourth Friday celebration is June 27 from 5-8 p.m. on Noble Street.
For more information or to volunteer to help with the gathering
call Charity Duncan at Spirit of Anniston, 256-236-0996.
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6
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June 2014
INSIGHT