The First Friday 2023 season is about to begin!

Discover Lansdale Announces Details for ‘That '70s Night’ First Friday May 5

By Keith Heffintrayer, North Penn Now

Discover Lansdale’s First Friday Committee will make their 2023 season debut on May 5 with a retro-themed evening of live entertainment, activities, rides, food and drinks dubbed “That 70s Night.”

First Fridays in 2023 are sponsored in part by C&J Automotive of Lansdale, Elton & Thompson Structural Engineers, and Montco Elder Law. For sponsorship info, click here.
Stay up to date on event details by visiting the event page on Facebook. See below for more information.

UNIQUE ACTIVITIES

Unique activities for the May “That 70s Night” Frist Friday include:
  • Themed music at Railroad Plaza and the Beer Garden
  • Live retro music performance by AM Radio on Wood Street
  • Retro-themed photo scavenger hunt
  • Retro-themed inflatables and activities
  • Mechanical shark ride on Wood Street

FOOD TRUCKS AND VENDORS

Organizers expect to have six to seven food trucks, with another handful of non-vehicle food vendors throughout the event space. Food trucks and vendors include:
Food trucks will be lined up single file on Madison Street at Railroad Plaza. Additionally, non-vehicle food vendors will be placed along South Wood Street and inside the beer garden at the West Main Lot.

ENTERTAINMENT

May First Friday will feature music at three locations: AM Radio on South Wood Street, DJ Chris Evans at Railroad Plaza, and DJ Tone Arm at the West Main Lot beer garden. In sticking with the 70s theme, guests can expect to hear classic rock, funk, early hip hop, late Motown, and other era-appropriate genres.

Music will begin at each location around 6 p.m. and end at 9 p.m.
Additionally, there will be a magician performing at Railroad Plaza beginning around 6:30 p.m.

BEER GARDEN

The lineup for May’s First Friday Pop Up Beer Garden includes:
The West Main Lot Beer Garden will also feature tables and chairs, food offerings, cornhole, music and giant Jenga. Additionally, alcoholic beverages will be available on South Wood Street, courtesy of Round Guys Brewing Co.

All guests must be 21+ to drink, and all drinks must remain in the event space where they were purchased. Carrying drinks from one location to another is strictly prohibited.
Tickets will also be on sale in the beer garden for the 2023 Lansdale Beer Fest, scheduled for June 24.

KIDS' ZONE

For the May First Friday, Discover Lansdale has booked a trio of mostly-themed activities for children and teens, including a Star Wars themed inflatable, a speed pitch, and Hungry Human Hippos

Guests will be required to purchase a $5 band at the Discover Lansdale tent at Railroad Plaza, which will allow guests unlimited access to the rides. This change was made to streamline the event on the organizing end and save money for guests with children or teens.

In addition to the attraction, kids will be able to partake in free face painting courtesy of Josep Cuce and balloon art courtesy of Scott Myers. There is no fee for face paint or balloon art, though tips are encouraged.

PHOTO SCAVENGER HUNT

The photo scavenger hunt has returned as a recurring activity for each First Friday in the 2023 season, with a winner being drawn at the end of each event.

Seven photos will be added to the Discover Lansdale Facebook page in the days leading up to the event. To participate, you must be able to identify all seven locations, write them down (along with your name and contact info), and submit it at the Discover Lansdale booth at Railroad Plaza by 9 p.m.

A winner will then be drawn at random, who will receive a $350 gift package courtesy of one of Lansdale’s newest businesses — Escapopolis.

TIMING, WEATHER, CONTACT INFO

This season, First Fridays begin at 6 p.m. and end at 9 p.m. Road closures include South Wood Street from Main to Courtland, Madison Street from Main to the end of the one-way, and Susquehanna Ave. from Main to Courtland.

Should there be a threat of inclement weather, a decision will be announced by 1 p.m. regarding whether or not the event will be held. There is no rain date for First Fridays.
Anyone seeking additional information should email info@discoverlansdale.org.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Discover Lansdale, a 501c3 nonprofit, is seeking sponsors for the 2023 First Friday season. Opportunities include season-long sponsorships and event-specific sponsorships. Additional details can be found here.

(Editor’s Note: the author of this article is a board member with Discover Lansdale and serves as their First Friday Committee Chairman.)
2023's THEMES

Great music, good food, amusements and refreshments for the family — First Friday rocks! Here are 2023's themes:
  • May 5: That '70's Night
  • June 2: Pride and Freedom
  • July 7: The Great American Outdoors
  • Aug. 4: Lansdale Luau
  • Sept. 1: E-A-G-L-E-S
  • Oct. 6: Chili Cookoff
  • Nov. 3: Zombie Walk
For 2023 vendor registration form, CLICK HERE or download via link below.  Note that food vendors now have a separate portion of the form to fill out.

For season-long sponsorship opportunities, click here or download via the button below.

And if you have any questions at all, please email info@discoverlansdale.org or call  (267) 498-5060 for more information!

Thank you to our 2023 FF Sponsors