Milledgeville Main Street hosted its First Friday Beach Bash event of the year last week, with community members enjoying sand, sun, and fun.
Milledgeville Main Street has hosted the Beach Bash for the last 10 years and now considers its planning with sponsors to be “a well-oiled machine.”
“People love it, so it’s definitely one that we continue to do,” said Carlee Schulte, director of Milledgeville Main Street.
The Beach Bash is created by laying sand in the lot in front of the Deep Roots sign on East Hancock Street and setting up vendors on the sidewalk. The sand was provided by Standard Sand and Silica Co. in Ivey and Fowler-Flemister Concrete, Inc. donated the trucking portion that transports the sand.
Schulte commended the Public Works Department for its help with laying the sand and helping with clean up. Every year, the sand is taken back to the city to be used for city projects or protecting the roads from ice.
Families at the event could play in the sand with toys and pools filled with water by the Milledgeville Fire Department while listening to music provided by Major League Entertainment.
The Kona Ice truck was at the Beach Bash to offer shaved ice as a cooling treat in the afternoon heat while community members walked around to different vendors at the event. Cornerstone Community Church also handed out free popsicles.
Artrageous Airbrush had a tent at the bash where attendees could personalize airbrushed shirts and hats.
There were plenty of games and activities to keep the kids entertained too from getting glitter tattoos, throwing rings at flamingos, or getting books from Twin Lakes Library’s tent. Charmed Spa and Salon had a tent to promote their services as a downtown business as well.
Milledgeville’s chapter of PFLAG was in attendance to offer merchandise and spread awareness for Pride Month. PFLAG is an organization devoted to doing inclusive work for the LGBTQ+ community.
Milledgeville’s First Friday events offer a sense of community and a great way to have fun while also supporting local organizations and businesses. The Beach Bash specifically provides kids with a fun and exciting activity, and it won’t be going away anytime soon.
“It’s mainly just to provide a community atmosphere and community event for the people of Milledgeville and surrounding areas. Something that can make us all proud of our downtown and community as a whole,” said Schulte.