Sonoma County Wine Country / About Wine, Food, and and Wine Country Living

Posted May 2006

First Friday in Santa Rosa

Stroll among artists, vendors and musicians throughout the summer

SANTA ROSA—There's little better than wandering the streets of downtown on a warm summer evening to the sound of strolling minstrels, while nibbling canapés and looking at great local art along the sidewalks. And frankly, the town of Santa Rosa couldn't agree more. Starting this June, each first Friday of the month, the shops and restaurants of this bustling burg just north of San Francisco will host an party featuring the creative talents of local artists into the dusk hours—from about 5pm to 8pm.

Everyone's invited to the party, which organizers hope will bring folks from their offices or homes into the center of town, enlivening the area that can sometimes feel a bit quiet after shops close down (most days around 6pm). It's part of a rejuvenation of the city, from the bustling new shops and restaurants in Railroad Square (just a few blocks away from the Courthouse Square Area), to the highly anticipated Woodstock Summer—in which Snoopy's favorite pal Woodstock the bird will appear in various guises around town. Last year's Charlie Brown appearances (artists painted several dozen Charlie Brown statues in themed costumes and placed them around the city) was a tourist boom and created a lot of local interest in the cartooned native son.

So mark your calendars for the first Fridays of the month when downtown will stay open late to wander among the paintings and sculpture that will grace stores and sidewalks. Stop in for a margarita, or a beer a the local pubs and just take in the magic of a summer evening amidst friends and neighbors.