First Friday Concert, Law Enforcement Memorial Day On Tap For Downtown
Downtown Rome’s First Friday Concert series begins this Friday, May 1, with Infinity Show Band performing.
The free concert runs from 7 p.m. until 10 p.m. at Bridgepoint Plaza.
The family-oriented concert series takes place from May through September on the first Friday of each month.
Infinity Show Band is an Atlanta-based group showcasing Motown, rhythm and blues and contemporary music.
In case of rain, the concert will be moved to the DeSoto Theatre, 530 Broad Street.
Concessions will be provided by several non-profit organizations including Boy Scout Troop 34, Coosa River Basin Initiative, Keep Rome-Floyd Beautiful, Metropolitan United Methodist Church, Rome-Floyd Commission on Children & Youth, Rome-Floyd International Association, Rome Little Theatre and Rome Shrine Club.
Although the event is free of charge, the Rome-Floyd International Association has tent and table rentals available for $100, which includes a tent, tablecloth and eight chairs set up.
For those rentals, please contact George Pullen at (706) 295-0010.
This is Infinity Show Band’s first appearance for the First Friday Concert.
Other bands booked for the summer concert series include The Beatless in June, Southern Thunder in July, Ben Deignan & Surburban Soul in August and Scott Thompson & Peachtree Station in September.
At Friday’s Downtown Coffee Break, announcements were also made concerning the upcoming Law Enforcement Memorial Day.
On Friday, May 8, a memorial will take place at 11 a.m. at the Law Enforcement Center Memorial Plaza to honor the fallen officers of the law enforcement community of Rome and Floyd County.
During the honor roll call, 19 fallen officers will be remembered.
Following the ceremony, the Multi-Agency Honor Guard Bagpipes will be featured marching down Broad Street. Singing will be provided by David Tillery.
Law enforcement officers are then provided a free lunch at The Forum.
Georgia House of Representative Katie Dempsey attended Friday morning’s meeting.
“This is the heartbeat of the community, so I try to come to these events when I can,” Dempsey said.
Dempsey, who is a former city appointee to the Downtown Development Authority, added, “I firmly support downtown Rome.”
Other announcements made during the Downtown Coffee Break include:
• The Rome Area Council for the Arts (RACA) in partnership with Rome Downtown Development and the Business Improvement District (BID) will host a downtown art walk on Saturday, May 9, from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. Downtown businesses have sponsored various artists who will perform outside their stores.
• The DeSoto Theatre will present The Foreigner on May 15-17 and May 22-24. Friday and Saturday shows begin at 8 p.m., and Sunday performances begin at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students and seniors.
• The Rome-Floyd Parks and Recreation Authority Farmers Market will open Saturday, May 16, at its new location at the Downtown Rome Trail Head Parking Lot located on West Third Street. The market will run on Wednesday and Saturday mornings from 7 a.m. until 10 a.m. The market will feature locally-grown fresh produce, organic produce, baked goods, canned goods, jellies, herbs, fresh-cut flowers and craft items.
The Downtown Development Authority’s next Downtown Coffee Break will be Friday, May 29, at Needleworks Embroidery on Broad Street.
Georgia House of Representative Katie Dempsey (right) speaks with downtown Rome merchant Paula Conaway during Friday morning’s Downtown Coffee Break. Staff photo by Dawn Treglown.
