Downtown Irwin geared up for the first “First Friday” of 2023, offering music, hot chocolate, food trucks and friendship on Friday, January 6th.
For some of our participating companies, First Friday is a much-anticipated monthly event.
Union Street Taproom co-owner Tara Baker said:
“We live two blocks from the road, so I always wished there was a place in town that had craft beer,” explained Baker. “And since we didn’t have that option, we decided we should. ‘ sign was found. Called the number, did six months of construction, and opened its doors just before the Apple Festival.
Baker said she and her husband, Michael, wanted their facility to have a community feel.
“That was the mindset that I went into this,” she said.
“I wanted to be a place where people would meet,” she explained. That’s what I wanted my whole life from here, you can come here and drink Coke whether you like alcohol or not. There are always children here.”
Baker says, like every First Friday, the Union Street Taproom is family-friendly and fosters a sense of community.
Jan Bowden, owner of Union Street Gallery, said First Fridays 2023 is off to a good start.
“We had a great time on our first ‘First Friday’ of the year. Especially because we were lucky with the weather,” Boden said. “(Food Truck) Backdraft BBQ stays in front of Taproom until 9:30pm and Taproom has a great band called Chucky Nole with a lot of followers.
Borden said the event served its purpose of attracting new visitors to downtown Irwin.
“There were a lot of people who had never been before, and sales were a record for January,” she said.
“The library also had live Michaela Langley music and a hot chocolate and cider bar, and it was packed,” Boden added.
The next First Friday will be held on Friday, February 3rd.