Payson Roundup

Come out and enjoy the feel of autumn at the Oct. 7 First Friday celebration on Payson’s historic Main Street from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The First Friday Block Party on Main Street has something for everyone.

Oktoberfest on Main will showcase Rim Country Homebrewers Greg, Tom and Scott at Down the Street Art Gallery, Farmers Insurance and DK Realty. Stop by and learn about the art of home brewing and get a free chance to win prizes.

The evening fun continues at the Community Presbyterian Church, 800 W. Main St., where the Starlighters will perform and there will be a soup and salad dinner. Guests get a choice of one of three different soups, a salad, dinner roll, dessert and a drink for only $5. All proceeds go to the children’s programs at the Community Presbyterian Child Learning Center.

The shuttle bus will be running too, so park at the church, eat dinner and then hitch a ride up and down Main Street.

Bootleg Alley Antiques & Art, 520 W. Main St., will feature Brandon Shepard performing country and light rock. Cooking gourmet brats from Charlie’s Meats will be Chef Gary Bedsworth and Diane Frederick Bedsworth. For $5 you can purchase a brat with all the trimmings, chips and a soda. All proceeds benefit PAWS. Gatherers can also treat themselves to Scoops ice cream.

The Artists of the Rim Gallery is using the occasion to feature recent work by its artist/partners. In order to better showcase this new work, the gallery’s members plan a major changeover in the space to create a new look.

A new exhibit will open at Down the Street Art Gallery Friday, Oct. 7. The gallery has a new show of member artists’ interpretation of  “Dia de los Muertos” (Day of the Dead), which includes sculptures, baskets, paintings, jewelry and gourd art. Dia de los Muertos is a Latin American holiday traditionally celebrated Nov. 1 and Nov. 2. Families go to cemeteries to honor and be with the souls of the departed.

Activities for the monthly event can start early with the Time Out Thrift Shop’s First Friday Sale. Everything inside the shop and on the sidewalk will be at least 50 percent off. Shop and save between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. before going to the Main Street festivities. The shop is located at 500 S. Beeline Hwy., across the street from Wendy’s.

All proceeds from the sales at the Time Out Thrift Shop benefit Time Out, Inc., in Payson, its shelter, transitional housing programs and other community based domestic violence programs.

A new business is being welcomed to the Main Street family — DK Realty, 617 W. Main St. (located in Curtis Johnson’s Farmers Insurance building).