MOUNT VERNON — After a brief heavy rain in the afternoon, the evening was sunny and warm for the beginning of First Friday on Friday evening, but the Ohio weather proved capricious and sent people scurrying for doorways and inside events.
The organizers apparently decided this might happen, as the band and other entertainment planned for the square were moved to the Buckeye Candy building.
Still, visitors walked to the square to check out the lovingly restored vintage automobiles, then worked their way south, stopping at business and other attractions on their way.
Happ Henthorn of Mount Vernon was enjoying himself talking with people about his 1955 Ford Thunderbird.
“I think it’s the social thing that brings people out,” he said, nodding towards people talking over aspects of the cars on display.
As block or so south, Ginny Williams was sitting at a table selling raffle tickets for the Byron Saunders Foundation, which raises money to proved meals for needy families at Thanksgiving.
“It’s a little chilly,” she commented as the sun hid behind a cloud. “These events are always different.”
As people moved down the street, they tended to keep an eye on the dark clouds moving in, wondering if they would pass by and the sun come out again, or would it rain?
Inside the Woodward Opera House, volunteer Cate Blair-Wilhelm said she was surprised by the number of people visiting the historic building which is slowly being restored.
The opera house is normally open during First Fridays and on Farmers’ Market mornings.
At the creative Foundation, Activities Director Amy O’Reilly commented, “A lot of people have been coming in for a look, it’s nice to have First Friday back.”
The Creative Foundation is a center for adults with disabilities. Artwork from adults who work there was on display, as were a collection of mosaics down by high school students.
The rain finally came down about 7:20. People sheltered in doorways and wondered if they could make it down to the Buckeye Candy building.
