ROGERS — Local and regional artists will line First and Elm streets Friday as part of 3rd Friday festivities. There will be music on the Frisco Stage, with wine tasting and artisan food samples in the entertainment garden, according to the event sponsor, Main Street Rogers.
Each month, Main Street Rogers, has a different theme for the gathering downtown from 5 to 9 p.m.
“This month it’s artists of all kinds, pottery makers, painters, cooks, musicians and area microbreweries,” said Dana Mather, Main Street event coordinator.
Bill Schopp, manager of Poor Richards Art Gallery, 116 W. Walnut St., is looking forward to this particular 3rd Friday event.
“We are going to have Jim Young demonstrate pottery making inside the story and two or three artists and their work outside the store. We’re also going to have a booth on Elm Street with at least three more of our local artists displaying their work,” Schopp said.
“Third Friday always increases traffic in our store,” Schopp said. “We might not sell much during 3rd Friday, but it usually creates sales later after people have seen what we have in the gallery. Many of the merchants say the same thing,” Schopp added.
Downtown shops and restaurants will stay open late during the 3rd Friday event, Main Street officials said.
Representatives from Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art are scheduled to conduct children’s art activities in the park south of the Frisco Stage, Main Street officials said.
Music will be provided by recent Rogers High School graduate, Nathan Aronowitz, who plays guitar and sings blues.
“He’s really talented and has a great band,” Mather said. “He was very popular last year when he played for one of our events.”
Residents will have the opportunity to taste a variety of wines from Arkansas wineries, including Raimondo Family winery of Mountain Home, Post Familie Winery of Altus and Chateau aux Arc Vineyards and Winery, also of Altus.
“The cost for the wine tasting is $10 per person, but you get to taste nine wines from different vineyards. Wine and beer will be available by the glass,” Mather said.
Joseph Post, with Post Winery, said he has a way of helping people find the right wine during a wine tasting.
“You don’t have to be a connoisseur of wine to find a good wine. The best wine is the wine you like. It’s that simple. I’m sure there are those who can smell a hint of rosemary or something else in a wine, but if you like the wine, whether $5 a bottle or $200 a bottle, that’s the best wine,” Post said.
The entertainment area, just north of the Frisco Stage, will offer Miller Lite beer along with draft beer from local microbrewery Core Brewing and Distilling.
Artisan food producers will offer samples of various locally produced food, including Kent Walker Cheeses, Mather said.
Main Street Rogers is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the downtown district and keeping it vibrant and healthy, said Kerry Jensen, Main Street executive director.