WELCOME SPRING WITH  SILLINESS DURING FIRST FRIDAYS IN DOWNTOWN RACINE!

Downtown Racine Merchants kick off the 2011 season of the popular First Friday’s on April 1 from 6-9pm! This is no joke!

Discover the shops, galleries & museums in downtown Racine on April Fools Day for some silliness as the 7th annual First Friday event unfolds for the season.  Over 50 downtown businesses collaborate to bring you this fun filled evening of shopping, dining, music and more.

Wander our charming historic shopping district or treat yourself to a horse drawn carriage ride.   With live local music inside several shops, hands on activities, demonstrations, shopping & dining specials you’ll want to explore all that downtown Racine has to offer.

Here is a sampling of what your friends downtown have up their sleeves First Friday:

It’s NO JOKE, says the Racine Art Museum!  Join them April 1 from 5:30 – 7:30 pm for the opening reception of the Second Annual International PEEPS® Competition.  Visitors and media are invited to talk to PEEPS® artists and uncover their creative inspiration.  Enjoy free RAM admission and extended hours from 10:00 am ­to 9:00 pm. From 4:00 – 8:00 pm­, drop-in for a free hands-on art activity, 441 Main Street.

Salute Italian Restaurant, 314 Main Street, is offering Multi-Directional Pasta with meatballs.  This exciting new pasta can be wound on your fork in either direction!  You cut your pasta, you say?  Be prepared, a cutting surcharge may apply.

Top Dog Hot Dog, 520 Monument Square, announces that the Top Dog is Pregnant and due April 1!  Stop in for a free Puppy!

Enter to win!  Genuine Fool’s Gold at Art Metals Studio, 332 Main Street.

Strange happenings at 406 Main Street!  Chickens at Inside-Out started to sing & shout!  While doing a little spin, they turned it Outside-In! 

Visit 3rd Coast Bicycles, 210 3rd Street, for the newest Deals on Wheels!  And just so you know, your Mom says it’s OK to pedal your butt around town!

Molly MaGruder, 330 Main Street, will be hosting The Fourcast with musical weather reports from 6 - 9 pm.

Enter to win!  “65” Flat Screen LCD TV – Great Picture” at Piranha Gaming, 424 Main Street.

Spinnakers Restaurant will offer a seafood buffet - "Come in crabby, leave happy with our all you can eat crab leg and seafood buffet . . . only $19.95!" 2 Christopher Columbus Causeway.

There will be a complimentary Wine & Beer tasting of "Laughable Labels" from 6 - 8 pm at Uncorkt, 240 Main Street.  All Witty Wine Wear is on sale 25% off!

Enter to win!  A one-of-a-kind 14 karrat ring!" at Plumb Gold Ltd, 322 Main Street.  Stop in and enjoy the musical stylings of the Yodeling Goldsmiths!

George’s Tavern, 1201 N. Main Street,  the place for Great Persian Food every day is offering “Free Beer!” (tomorrow)

Stop in at DP Wigley and Hop To It, 234 Wisconsin Avenue, to check out their schedule of FREE “How to Do Stuff” workshops.  Learn about Beer and Wine Making, Cheesemaking, Square Foot Gardening, Root Beer and Soda Making, Homemade Ice Cream, Composting, Beekeeping, and other interesting pastimes.

Enter to win!  Six Week Artist in Residence Program at Artists Gallery, 401 Main Street.  They will also begiving away5 Buck Certificates to every customer.

Fired Up! Racine, 320 Main Street, will be hosting a Workshop for adults and kidsfrom 6:00-8:30pm (kids 7 and up may attend without adult supervision). The featured piece that evening will be a large flower plate. We will have lots of techniques to show you – or create your own design!

Northern Lights Gallery, 423 Main Street, will once again be hosting guitar player Macyn Taylor.  You’re your calendar for every first Friday so you don’t miss this incredibly talented young lady!Stop in and see a new season of products that are unique, affordable and Made In The USA.

News Flash!  Elvis sighted in Racine! - find him at Photographic Design, Studio and Gallery, 411 6th Street.  Reveal his location in the photo and win a prize.

Has the long Winter got you all Strung Out?  Visit Funky Hannah’s Beads & Art, 324 Main Street, to see their new beads with holes on both sides plus earring making demonstrations all night long!

Nano Bug Races will be held at Dover Flag & Map, 323 Main Street, to benefit HOPE Safehouse.  For a small donation, join in the fun and excitement and win prizes!  The crazy ladies there will be glad to share Plenty of Pretty Good Jokes.  Be on the lookout for the White Bees and Wandering Eyes!

The folks at RG Natural Babies, 430 Main Street, are getting pretty cheeky – offering free face painting!

Stop in to Lornacopia, 310 6th Street, for FREE GOODY BAGS while supplies last. Don't miss out!!!

Hot Shop Glass, 239 Wisconsin Ave, will be featuring demonstrations by Smokin’ Hot Glassblowers  from 6 til 8:30pm.

It’s “Coffee, Tea or Me?” at the Main Street General Store, 302 Main Street.  There you will find ‘take home’ goods with attitude!

Common Scents / Olde Tyme Photo / Pack ‘n Ship, 303 Main Street, suggests you stop in to try their new “NAKED SCENTED” Products.

The Ecolimes will bring their classic rock/pop/reggae sound to McAuliffes on the Square, 213 6th Street.

Copacetic, 409 Main Street, has a big selection of Women's fancy brimmed hats for Kentucky Derby, Easter Sunday and special events.  You can LOSE WEIGHT – GUARANTEED - wearing hats from Copacetic.  Stop in to find out how.

Whole Chicken Dinners will be available at the Ivanhoe Pub & Eatery, 231 Main Street,  for only 50¢!

Tangles Salon Studio, 304 Main Street upper, is celebrating their One Year Anniversary April 1. (Congratulations!!!)

Left handed people rejoice!  John’s Dock, 303 Dodge Street, is serving Left Handed Dock Burgers!  All condiments are rotated 180° for the benefit of their left handed customers.

Enjoy your Lenten Fish Fry for $9.95 at The Pink Magnolia, 240 Main Street, then dance the night away with Duosonic from 8:00 to 12:00. 

At Artistry Furniture Gallery, 512 Main Street, for every candle you purchase they will match it for free. Check out the big sale - 25%-60% off - selected merchandise throughout the store.

The first 100 customers at Sticky Rice Thai Restaurant, 337 Main Street, will receive a Special Sticky Rice Dessert with their meal.

Tell a Tall Tale About Your Tattoo!  Stop in at I Ov Thee Dragon, 614 6th Street, and tell us the meaning behind your tattoo or tattoos.  BUT, exaggerate or blatantly lie about them.  Thee most ridiculous or entertaining "story" teller will win a $50 gift certificate to use toward a tattoo.   Judgment will be made by staff at thee end of the business day. Open 12p.m. to 9p.m.

April Fools Day starts early at the HOPES Center, 507 6th Street.  Join the HOPES Center Staff in "Drag Racing" on 6th Street 10:00AM to 1:00PM.  Cup of Hope will feature an April Fool's Surprise Smoothie.  A coupon will be available for 25 cents off that drink on 4/1/2011.  Just Trade will feature "There's no Gift like a Poo Gift”.  A coupon will be available for 50 cents off any Poo Paper purchase that day.

Lucky people dining at Casablanca Restaurant & Lounge, 230 Main Street, may receive one of Blanca’s Special April Fools Tacos.  She will be passing them out at random to selected individuals.  Other people may ask you, “What’s in YOUR taco?”

FREE SHOTS at Evelyn’s Club Main, 331 Main Street!  Stop in and enjoy a Logjam on Evelyn!

Moxie Child, 304 6th Street, will be featuring a fashion display with Live Mannequins from 6 to 9 pm.

Free Worms and Dirt will be available at Sugar Shack Sweet Shoppe, 530 Monument Square.

Enjoy APRIL FOOLTINIS for only $6 at Henry & Wanda’s, 501 6th Street.   Enjoy your dinner and stay for the dancing with the Mike Murphy Trio appearing from 8:00 to Midnight.

Spend an evening with friends and family living it up in Downtown Racine!

For more information contact Chris Sklba at Art Metals Studio 262.633.0545 or email firstfridaysracine@yahoo.com.