FLORENCE — The Downtown Florence Alliance hosts First Fridays on, well, the first Friday of every month from April through December and this Friday is the next event.

The city shuts down Court Street, and crafters, artists, food trucks, and other vendors line the road, ready to show off their wares. Of course, it wouldn’t be the Shoals without music, so First Fridays also brings the tunes.

First Fridays is a family-friendly event, too. At the end of the blocked off area is the Kids Zone, complete with a rock-climbing wall (courtesy of University of North Alabama ROTC), a bounce house, and other inflatable games.

While one adult is browsing the artwork, the other can help the kiddos in and out of the bounce house. Later, as one grown-up is reliving glory days with old friends, the other can help the kids master the rock wall.

When the kiddos are tired and settled in the wagon or stroller, the adults can refill their blue cups and head toward Mobile Street to hear some good music.

Oh? What’s a blue cup? It’s a plastic “to-go” cup that downtown restaurants can fill with patrons’ favorite beverages. Generally, the restaurant’s blue cup will feature its own logo, and blue cups are restricted to the designated entertainment district.

First Fridays hours are 5:30-9 p.m. through August and 5:30-8 p.m. from September through December.

Court Street and a few surrounding access roads are blocked off starting at 3:30 p.m. on event days. Visitors can park in the public parking garage or on the streets a block or so from the venue area.

First Fridays happen rain or shine. If severe weather moves in, the event will be canceled.