If you’ve ever had the misfortune of driving towards downtown Leesburg on the first Friday of the month and been caught in a slow crawl of cars, you’ll know a bit about First Fridays in downtown: a now monthly occurrence in Leesburg. It’s part festival, part block party, and always a good time.
Every first Friday without fail (except in January for New Year’s Day) stores, restaurants, and businesses alike are filled to the brim with locals and out-of-towners eager for a fun night out. To ensure the safety of all First Friday goers and to add to the block party vibe, King Street and West Market Street, which intersect in the heart of historic downtown, are blocked off so people are able to safely and easily stroll the streets.
A recent First Friday, September 6th, had an assortment of events going on. From a book signing at Birch Tree Books and Foliage plant shop, a popular book nook and plant store, to many local bands and artists performing in innumerable locations and even an art show, there is no end to the excitement on the evening of the first Friday. Except of course, until the streets have to be opened up again at ten o’clock, when the crowds slowly trickle back to their respective cars and homes late at night.
Leesburg has recovered remarkably since the closure of many local businesses in the wake of the 2020 Pandemic, and events like First Friday that continue to draw crowds are inspiring examples of the town’s resilience.
