Green Day Celebration is May First Fridays theme

May 1—GOSHEN — Celebrate the outdoors this Friday in downtown Goshen.

This month's First Fridays' theme is Green Day Celebration, featuring a series of outdoor adventures and activities to enjoy from 5-9 p.m.

Music and Green activities will abound at the event, which is in collaboration with the Goshen Tree Board.

The Elkhart County Courthouse lawn will boast an abundance of green events and activities. At 5 p.m. elementary students from the Goshen Community Schools will take the stage, and another group will perform at 6:10 p.m. Between the performances, the Goshen Tree Board will host an award show beginning at 5:45 p.m.

Following them, local musician Nayo Ulloa will take the stage from 7 — 7:30 p.m. and Shiny Shiny Black will follow from 8 — 9 p.m.

Nearby on the courthouse lawn, there will be tree climbing for kids, tree planting, and face painting. City of Elkhart's aquatic biologist Daragh Deegan will provide wildlife demonstrations, sharing information on local wildlife and regional conservation efforts with live animals. Merry Lea of Goshen College will have a live display of reptiles and amphibians.

North, the Elks Lodge, 220 N. Main St., will feature electric vehicles, scooters, and a selection of gas-powered cars.

There will also be a free tree sapling giveaway for the first 100 people.

Downtown merchants will have promotions and activities going all evening as well.

Soapy Gnome, 210 S. Main St., will offer 10% off cleaning supplies.

ReFind Curated Consignment, 201 S. Main St., is offering 10% off for anyone who brings their own bag.

Fables Books, 215 S. Main St., will host a Meet the Authors, featuring Art McFarlane, author of "Citizens of Heaven," which explores the Church's racist history and outlines a scriptural path toward antiracism; and Brenda L. Yoder, author of "Uncomplicated," which offers ten timeless lessons that provide guidance to overcome challenges with a calm presence, authentic faith, and voice of reason.

Hive of Light, 119 S. Main St., will have face painting by Josh Cooper and Misty from Misty's Magical Cookies vending her cookies and crochet goodies next door at Art Alley.

Goshen Historical Society, 124 S. Main St., will host a demonstration by printmaker Ida Short.

Goshen Theater, 216 S. Main S., will present the Goshen High School Art Show from 5-8 p.m.

On the courthouse lawn, Braly's Provisions and The Green Bee will be featured.

Food trucks will also be on site. They include Hay Huey, Jake's Food LLC, Kona Ice of Goshen (Beck's Shaved Ice), LifePoint Church, Phabulous Phoenix Rolling Diner, Rulli's Pizza Truck, Papa's Dippin' Donuts, and Tropicana Ice Cream.

Dani Messick is the education and entertainment reporter for The Goshen News. She can be reached at dani.messick@goshennews.com or at 574-538-2065.