For the last eight years, downtown Sylvania has put on an art and music festival every first Friday of the month. The event is called Red Bird, and it celebrates the people and businesses in our city. This month, the town celebrated the holiday season.
Main Street on the first Friday of December was bright and festive. Food trucks and vendors lined the streets, with goods ranging from kettle corn to free hot chocolate. A tent was put up, with vendors selling handmade jewelry and clothes. In the Hudson Gallery, an art gallery on Main Street, tables were set up for jewelry makers to show and sell their work. A children’s choir sang, and street performers did tricks with glowing hula-hoops. And last, but not least, the Christmas tree downtown was lit up, matching the festive lighting all around the street.
“Red Bird brings creative economic growth as well as a sense of community,” Dani Fuller, who works on the Red Bird board of directors said. “It gives our community a gathering place once a month while highlighting our unique stores, galleries and restaurants.” The point of the event is to bring attention to the downtown businesses, but to also be able to showcase local artisans. This month’s Red Bird did just that, highlighting the small business owners in a festive atmosphere.
“It’s fun to be a part of the development,” Fuller said. “I love giving a story.” Every first Friday has a story and a theme. This month was Christmas and holidays, but past themes include dog tails and sidewalk sales, hippie-ness fest, tune into June, and November gives thanks.
Red Bird has had a long run so far and celebrated their 98th first Friday this month. “Red Bird will continue to grow by adding more fun and creative twists into the future,” Fuller said.
Not only will the event continue to grow, but it will also continue to grow the community around it by supporting local artists and musicians.
“Be sure to come out each first Friday. There are so many great elements to our downtown and each month it’s different,” Fuller said.
