By Donna Thornton/News Editor
Downtown Gadsden, Inc. wants to give people the opportunity to savor the sunset overlooking the Coosa River, literally.
DGI Director Kay Moore recently told members of the Gadsden City Council about plans for an event that would close Memorial Bridge for a late afternoon and evening so that people could enjoy drinks and hor d’ouevres on the bridge underneath the setting sun.
Many cities incorporate their bridges into events, Moore said, and thought has been given for some time into how Gadsden could do so.
“Sunset Sips” is planned for 5:30-7:30 p.m. Oct. 16, she said. The bridge would need to be closed around 3 p.m. for preparations. Tables and chairs will be placed on the bridge and The Fish Market will cater the event, Back Forty Beer Co. will be involved, and Moore said she hopes to have entertainment – a guitarist here, a violinist there – at different spots on the bridge.
The event will be fundraiser, Moore said, to raise money for banners on Broad Street.
“We only have banners on Broad Street during Christmas,” Moore said, and she wants that to change. Tickets for the event will be $40.
The Gadsden City Council approved closing the bridge for the requested time at the Sept. 4 council meeting.
Moore also briefed the council on plans for September’s First Friday activities.
“Buggies, Buses and Beetles” will be displayed downtown, Moore said, in what is a kickoff for a fundraising ride to benefit research for pediatric brain cancer.
Moore said Southern Security Specialists, located at 110 Broad Street, will give away a security system during First Friday. First Friday visitors are invited to register and the drawing will be at 7:45 p.m.
Kate Falcom will perform at 3rd Street, and “Five Feet Something” will be at BB&T at the corner of Fourth and Broad. “One Ton Tomato” will perform at the Mary G. Hardin Center for Cultural Arts.
Cheryl’s School of Rock will roll out the entertainment at Alfa Insurance, at the corner of 2nd and Broad streets, and dancing in the street at 6th Street. In addition there will be many vendors, entertainment and most importantly, Moore said, downtown businesses ready to serve.
The reason First Friday began, she said, was to promote shopping with downtown businesses, That remains the focus,