Downtown businesses ready to welcome guests for First Fridays

The artwork has been hung, the food trucks are scheduled, and downtown businesses are ready to welcome guests for the first First Fridays event of the year on Friday, May 5th from 5:00pm - 8:00pm.

The Grain Valley Fair Association is continuing the popular Food Truck Friday events, focusing on just the first Fridays in 2023 rather than a weekly event. This year's events will be held May 5th, June 2nd, July 7th, August 4th, and then during the Grain Valley Fair on September 8th and 9th. 

All events, with the exception of the Grain Valley Fair, will be held in downtown Grain Valley, with a different theme planned for each month. On May 5th, an Art Walk is planned, featuring artwork from student artists displayed in participating downtown businesses. 

In addition to the food trucks and Art Walk, collaborative art activities and vendors will be on site, and several local businesses and restaurants will be open for dining and entertainment options. 

The Grain Valley Chamber of Commerce will welcome two new businesses, The Patel Group and Iron Courtyard, with ribbon cuttings beginning at The Patel Group's new offices at 4:00pm. 

Mayor Mike Todd said the Grain Valley Fair Association board partnered with the newly formed Downtown Grain Valley, Inc. to add to the successful Food Truck Fridays events and support downtown revitalization efforts.
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"We are looking forward to a really great time.  With the help of Downtown Grain Valley working with the Grain Valley Fair, we are going to have a great event.  Theming each First Friday this year is a great addition.  I have seen all the art for the Art Walk this Friday and to say we have some talented artists in our school system is an understatement.  I think everyone will be pleasantly surprised at the talent that is on display from early childhood up to the high school,"
Todd said.