Tallahassee, Florida’s capital city, is home to a vibrant and diverse art scene, and at the heart of this creative hub lies the Railroad Square Art District. Railroad Square is best known for the exciting and popular First Friday festivals, which occur on the first Friday of every month. The final first Friday of the 2023 year took place from 6-9 p.m. Dec. 1.
At the heart of the First Friday event is the gallery hop, a captivating journey through the district’s numerous galleries and studios. Every location features a wide variety of artistic creations, ranging from traditional paintings to cutting-edge sculptures and multimedia installations. This is a great way for visitors and locals to engage and connect with other creatives.
First Friday extends beyond the art studios and galleries, embracing the entire Railroad Square community. There are interesting and unique stores to check out and definitely something for everyone. According to their website, there are more than 70 shops and small businesses whether it be in the form of vintage and antiques, fine art, specialty shops, gaming shops, cult cinema, theaters, gaming arcades, non-profit book stores or specialty kayak shops. Many shops also take part in the festivities, opening later and providing special deals to greet the rush of guests.
One TCC student, Priska Bienvenue, was one of the many attendees.
“First Friday was one of the first events I attended when I moved here for college and it has been something I’ve looked forward to since then,” Bienvenue said. “It’s a great place to come to when you don’t have much to do or don’t want to spend a lot of money and I love how all the shops sell different things instead of just clothes.”
First Friday is not exclusive to adults; it’s a family friendly affair. The district comes alive with family friendly music and theatrical acts that captivate audiences of all ages. Parents find themselves tapping their feet to the rhythm of lively tunes, while children dance freely in the open spaces. Many families also bring their pets to the event and interact with the cats at Fat Cat, a non-profit used bookstore and cat adoption center.
On top of the many food trucks that were present there are also a variety of food choices like the Square Mug Cafe, Railroad Square Crafthouse, Oh Lemonade!, Halisi Africa and the Crumbox Gastgarden —the only cafe in town constructed out of a real railroad caboose.
A fan favorite restaurant at railroad square is the Juice Bar Miami which brings the tastes of Miami with its delicious selection of acai bowls, smoothie bowls, fresh juices and more.
“Every time I come to First Friday I refuse to leave without getting something at the juice bar. It’s honestly an addiction for me,” said Alyssa Williams, a Tallahassee resident.
First Fridays at Railroad Square are more than simply a one-time event; they serve as a constant reminder of the city’s dedication to developing a thriving and welcoming arts community. It’s a celebration of the endless possibilities that occur in the center of Florida’s capital where creativity, culture and community come together